US20130073652A1 - Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual - Google Patents
Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130073652A1 US20130073652A1 US13/617,402 US201213617402A US2013073652A1 US 20130073652 A1 US20130073652 A1 US 20130073652A1 US 201213617402 A US201213617402 A US 201213617402A US 2013073652 A1 US2013073652 A1 US 2013073652A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- host
- contact information
- client
- server
- referenced
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/04—Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
- H04L51/046—Interoperability with other network applications or services
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/107—Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
- G06F15/16—Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
- G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/07—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail characterised by the inclusion of specific contents
- H04L51/08—Annexed information, e.g. attachments
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
- G06F3/04817—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
- G06F3/04842—Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/04—Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to online communications systems and more particularly to an online communications system that automatically provides supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual
- client-server network architecture of the Internet and/or the Web electronic documents are stored in computer systems running server programs and are accessed by computer systems running client programs.
- information on the Web is provided by Web servers and is accessible by a client program such as a Web browser (e.g., Netscape's Navigator, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, or Java's micro-browser).
- a Web browser e.g., Netscape's Navigator, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, or Java's micro-browser.
- Information on the Internet and/or Web may be represented by specially formatted text files (e.g., Web pages) written in Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”) or some other markup language, such as XML, HDML, and/or VRML.
- HTML Hypertext Markup Language
- Each text file may be identified by a network address such as a Universal Resource Locator (“URL”).
- a typical Web page may include one or more hyperlinks referring to the network addresses of other Web pages. Hyperlinks may be displayed as underlined text or graphical images that, when clicked, send a request for the associated page. For example, when a hyperlink in a home page is selected, a request is sent out by the client to the address specified in the hyperlink, and the associated Web page is downloaded and displayed, by replacing the home page on the user's screen with the associated Web page.
- HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol
- An Internet service provider may be used to provide subscribers with access to the Internet and/or the World Wide Web (“Web”).
- An ISP may offer services in addition to basic Internet access such as, for example, providing e-mail and instant messaging services that enable electronic communication, Web-hosting services that allow subscribers to publish homepages, newsgroup services that allow subscribers to read and post to newsgroups, and image services that allow subscribers to view and order digital images of pictures from a developed film roll.
- providing supplemental contact information for an individual referenced in an electronic message typically includes receiving an electronic message, examining the electronic message, detecting an identifier for a referenced individual contained in the electronic message, and making supplemental contact information for the referenced individual available to a recipient of the electronic message.
- the supplemental contact information may include information that is in addition to information contained in the electronic message.
- Implementations may include one or more of the following features.
- the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may include an e-mail address, a screen name, a telephone number, a facsimile number, and/or a mailing address, each of which is associated with the referenced individual.
- the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may include supplemental contact information that was communicated by the referenced individual to a host that maintains the supplemental contact information.
- the electronic message may include an e-mail message and/or an instant message.
- a communication scheme may be configured between a sender of the electronic message and the individual referenced in the electronic message using the supplemental contact information.
- the referenced individual may include a sender of the electronic message, a recipient of the electronic message, and/or a name included in a body of the electronic message.
- the preferences of the referenced individual may be checked such that the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual is made available according to the preferences of the referenced individual. Additionally or alternatively, the preferences of the recipient may be checked such that additional supplemental information is made available for the referenced individual according to the preferences of the recipient.
- a personal address book may be updated with the supplemental contact information of the referenced individual.
- a global address book that includes the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may be maintained.
- the global address book may be automatically updated when the referenced individual makes changes to the supplemental contact information.
- a status of online presence for the referenced individual may be made available.
- a real time messaging capability of the referenced individual may be determined such that the real time messaging capability of the referenced individual may be made available.
- An invitation may be sent to the referenced individual to subscribe to an instant messaging service.
- An invitation to subscribe to an instant messaging service may be sent to a referenced individual who is not an instant messaging service subscriber.
- An e-mail address may be detected for the referenced individual and a domain may be snipped from the e-mail address such that a reverse-lookup may be performed to obtain an instant messaging screen name for the referenced individual.
- An indicator associated with the referenced individual may be displayed to indicate available supplemental contact information.
- the referenced individual may define the rights of recipients for viewing the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual.
- the referenced individual may define the rights of recipients for viewing the supplemental contact information to change temporally.
- the referenced individual may define the rights of recipients to enable only designated recipients to view the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual, only persons designated in a personal address book to view the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual, and/or only persons designated in a global address book to view the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual.
- the supplemental contact information may include a screen name, which may be added to an instant messaging buddy list. Real time contact information for the referenced individual may be made available to the recipient of the electronic message.
- receiving supplemental contact information for an individual referenced in an electronic message typically includes receiving from a host an electronic message that includes an identifier for a referenced individual and receiving supplemental contact information for the referenced individual from the host.
- the supplemental contact information may be in addition to information contained in the electronic message.
- Implementations may include one or more of the features described above.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system.
- FIGS. 2-6 are block diagrams of expansions of aspects of the block diagram of FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 are flows charts of communications methods that may be implemented by the system of FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 9-11 are illustrations of different graphical user interfaces that may be provided by the system of FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.
- a communications system 100 is capable of delivering and exchanging data between a client system 105 and a host system 110 through a communications link 115 .
- the client system 105 typically includes one or more client devices 120 and/or client controllers 125
- the host system 110 typically includes one or more host devices 135 and/or host controllers 140 .
- the client system 105 or the host system 110 may include one or more general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers), one or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices specifically programmed to communicate with each other and/or the client system 105 or the host system 110 ), or a combination of one or more general-purpose computers and one or more special-purpose computers.
- the client system 105 and the host system 110 may be arranged to operate within or in concert with one or more other systems, such as, for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”) and/or one or more WANs (“Wide Area Networks”).
- the client device 120 (or the host device 135 ) is generally capable of executing instructions under the command of a client controller 125 (or a host controller 140 ).
- the client device 120 (or the host device 135 ) is connected to the client controller 125 (or the host controller 140 ) by a wired or wireless data pathway 130 or 145 capable of delivering data
- the client device 120 , the client controller 125 , the host device 135 , and the host controller 140 each typically include one or more hardware components and/or software components.
- An example of a client device 120 or a host device 135 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer) capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.
- Other examples include a special-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a component, other physical or virtual equipment or some combination thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions.
- the client device 120 and the host device 135 may include devices that are capable of peer-to-peer communications.
- An example of client controller 125 or a host controller 140 is a software application loaded on the client device 120 or the host device 135 for commanding and directing communications enabled by the client device 120 or the host device 135 .
- Other examples include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructing the client device 120 or the host device 135 to interact and operate as described.
- the client controller 125 and the host controller 140 may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of providing instructions to the client device 120 or the host device 135 .
- the communications link 115 typically includes a delivery network 160 making a direct or indirect communication between the client system 105 and the host system 110 , irrespective of physical separation.
- a delivery network 160 include the Internet, the World Wide Web, WANs, LANs, analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, and xDSL), radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery mechanism for carrying data.
- the communications link 115 may include communication pathways 150 and 155 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 160 described above. Each of the communication pathways 150 and 155 may include, for example, a wired, wireless, cable or satellite communication pathway.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a communications system 200 including a client system 205 communicating with a host system 210 through a communications link 215 .
- Client system 205 typically includes one or more client devices 220 and one or more client controllers 225 for controlling the client devices 220 .
- Host system 210 typically includes one or more host devices 235 and one or more host controllers 240 for controlling the host devices 235 .
- the communications link 215 may include communication pathways 250 and 255 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 260 .
- Examples of each element within the communications system of FIG. 2 are broadly described above with respect to FIG. 1 .
- the host system 210 and the communications link 215 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect to host system 110 and communications link 115 of FIG. 1 .
- the client system 205 of FIG. 2 typically has attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the client system 105 of FIG. 1 .
- the client device 220 typically includes a general-purpose computer 270 having an internal or external storage 272 for storing data and programs such as an operating system 274 (e.g., DOS, WindowsTM, Windows 95TM, Windows 98TM, Windows 2000TM, Windows McTM, Windows XPTM, Windows NTTM, OS/2, or Linux) and one or more application programs.
- an operating system 274 e.g., DOS, WindowsTM, Windows 95TM, Windows 98TM, Windows 2000TM, Windows McTM, Windows XPTM, Windows NTTM, OS/2, or Linux
- DOS DOS
- WindowsTM Windows 95TM
- Windows 98TM Windows 2000TM
- Windows McTM Windows McTM
- Windows XPTM Windows NTTM
- OS/2 or Linux
- Examples of application programs include authoring applications 276 (e.g., word processing programs, database programs, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs) capable of generating documents or other electronic content; client applications 278 (e.g., AOL client, CompuServe client, AIM client, AOL TV client, or ISP client) capable of communicating with other computer users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content; and browser applications 280 (e.g., Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer) capable of rendering standard Internet content.
- authoring applications 276 e.g., word processing programs, database programs, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs
- client applications 278 e.g., AOL client, CompuServe client, AIM client, AOL TV client, or ISP client
- browser applications 280 e.g., Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer
- the general-purpose computer 270 also includes a central processing unit 282 (CPU) for executing instructions in response to commands from the client controller 225 .
- the client controller 225 includes one or more of the application programs installed on the internal or external storage 272 of the general-purpose computer 270 .
- the client controller 225 includes application programs externally stored in and performed by one or more device(s) external to the general-purpose computer 270 .
- the general-purpose computer typically will include a communication device 284 for sending and receiving data.
- a communication device 284 is a modem.
- Other examples include a transceiver, a set-top box, a communication card, a satellite dish, an antenna, or another network adapter capable of transmitting and receiving data over the communications link 215 through a wired or wireless data pathway 250 .
- the general-purpose computer 270 also may include a TV (“television”) tuner 286 for receiving television programming in the form of broadcast, satellite, and/or cable TV signals.
- the client device 220 can selectively and/or simultaneously display network content received by communications device 284 and television programming content received by the TV tuner 286 .
- the general-purpose computer 270 typically will include an input/output interface 288 for wired or wireless connection to various peripheral devices 290 .
- peripheral devices 290 include, but are not limited to, a mouse 291 , a mobile phone 292 , a personal digital assistant 293 (PDA), a MP3 player (not shown), a keyboard 294 , a display monitor 295 with or without a touch screen input, a TV remote control 296 for receiving information from and rendering information to subscribers, and an audiovisual input device 298 .
- devices such as a mobile telephone 292 , a PDA 293 , a MP3 player (not shown), and a TV remote control 296 may be peripheral with respect to the general-purpose computer 270
- such devices may themselves include the functionality of the general-purpose computer 270 and operate as the client device 220
- the mobile phone 292 or the PDA 293 may include computing and networking capabilities and function as a client device 220 by accessing the delivery network 260 and communicating with the host system 210 .
- the client system 205 may include one, some or all of the components and devices described above.
- a communications system 300 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between a client system 305 and a host system 310 through a communication link 315 .
- Client system 305 typically includes one or more client devices 320 and one or more client controllers 325 for controlling the client devices 320 .
- Host system 310 typically includes one or more host devices 335 and one or more host controllers 340 for controlling the host devices 335 .
- the communications link 315 may include communication pathways 350 and 355 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 360 .
- Examples of each element within the communications system of FIG. 3 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the client system 305 and the communications link 315 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems 105 and 205 and communications links 115 and 215 of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the host system 310 of FIG. 3 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the host systems 110 and 210 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the host system 310 includes a host device 335 and a host controller 340 .
- the host controller 340 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 335 .
- the host controller 340 includes one or more software applications loaded on the host device 335 .
- the host controller 340 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control the host device 335 .
- the host device 335 includes a login server 370 for enabling access by subscribers and for routing communications between the client system 305 and other elements of the host device 335 .
- the host device 335 also includes various host complexes such as the depicted OSP (“Online Service Provider”) host complex 380 and IM (“Instant Messaging”) host complex 390 .
- the client system 305 includes communication software, for example, an OSP client application and an IM client application.
- the OSP and IM communication software applications are designed to facilitate the subscriber's interactions with the respective services and, in particular, may provide access to all the services available within the respective host complexes.
- the OSP host complex 380 supports different services, such as e-mail, discussion groups, chat, news services, and Internet access.
- the OSP host complex 380 is generally designed with an architecture that enables the machines within the OSP host complex 380 to communicate with each other and employs certain protocols (i.e., standards, formats, conventions, rules, and structures) to transfer data.
- the OSP host complex 380 ordinarily employs one or more OSP protocols and custom dialing engines to enable access by selected client applications.
- the OSP host complex 380 may define one or more specific protocols for each service based on a common, underlying proprietary protocol.
- the IM host complex 390 is generally independent of the OSP host complex 380 , and supports instant messaging services irrespective of a subscriber's network or Internet access. Thus, the IM host complex 390 allows subscribers to send and receive instant messages, whether or not they have access to any particular ISP.
- the IM host complex 390 may support associated services, such as administrative matters, advertising, directory services, chat, and interest groups related to the instant messaging.
- the IM host complex 390 has an architecture that enables all of the machines within the IM host complex to communicate with each other. To transfer data, the IM host complex 390 employs one or more standard or exclusive IM protocols.
- the host device 335 may include one or more gateways that connect and therefore link complexes, such as the OSP host complex gateway 385 and the IM host complex gateway 395 .
- the OSP host complex gateway 385 and the IM host complex gateway 395 may directly or indirectly link the OSP host complex 380 with the IM host complex 390 through a wired or wireless pathway.
- the OSP host complex gateway 385 and the IM host complex gateway 395 are privy to information regarding the protocol type anticipated by a destination complex, which enables any necessary protocol conversion to be performed incident to the transfer of data from one complex to another.
- the OSP host complex 380 and IM host complex 390 generally use different protocols such that transferring data between the complexes requires protocol conversion by or at the request of the OSP host complex gateway 385 and/or the IM host complex gateway 395 .
- a communications system 400 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between a client system 405 and a host system 410 through a communication link 415 .
- Client system 405 typically includes one or more client devices 420 and one or more client controllers 425 for controlling the client devices 420 .
- Host system 410 typically includes one or more host devices 435 and one or more host controllers 440 for controlling the host devices 435 .
- the communications link 415 may include communication pathways 450 and 455 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 460 .
- the client system 405 may access the Internet 465 through the host system 410 .
- Examples of each element within the communications system of FIG. 4 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3 .
- the client system 405 and the communications link 415 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems 105 , 205 , and 305 and communications links 115 , 215 , and 315 of FIGS. 1-3 .
- the host system 410 of FIG. 4 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the host systems 110 , 210 , and 310 shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
- FIG. 4 describes an aspect of the host system 410 , focusing primarily on one particular implementation of OSP host complex 480 .
- the client system 405 includes a client device 420 and a client controller 425 .
- the client controller 425 is generally capable of establishing a connection to the host system 410 , including the OSP host complex 480 , the IM host complex 490 and/or the Internet 465 .
- the client controller 425 includes an OSP application for communicating with servers in the OSP host complex 480 using exclusive OSP protocols.
- the client controller 425 also may include applications, such as an IM client application, and/or an Internet browser application, for communicating with the IM host complex 490 and the Internet 465 .
- the host system 410 includes a host device 435 and a host controller 440 .
- the host controller 440 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 435 .
- the host controller 440 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or more elements of the host device 435 .
- the host controller 440 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control the host device 435 .
- the host system 410 includes a login server 470 capable of enabling communications with and authorizing access by client systems 405 to various elements of the host system 410 , including an OSP host complex 480 and an IM host complex 490 .
- the login server 470 may implement one or more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to the OSP host complex 480 and the IM host complex 490 .
- the OSP host complex 480 and the IM host complex 490 are connected through one or more OSP host complex gateways 485 and one or more IM host complex gateways 495 .
- Each OSP host complex gateway 485 and IM host complex gateway 495 may perform any protocol conversions necessary to enable communications between the OSP host complex 480 , the IM host complex 490 , and the Internet 465 .
- the OSP host complex 480 supports a set of services from one or more servers located internal to and external from the OSP host complex 480 .
- Servers external to the OSP host complex 480 generally may be viewed as existing on the Internet 465 .
- Servers internal to the OSP complex 480 may be arranged in one or more configurations. For example, servers may be arranged in centralized or localized clusters in order to distribute servers and subscribers within the OSP host complex 480 .
- the OSP host complex 480 includes a routing processor 4802 .
- the routing processor 4802 will examine an address field of a data request, use a mapping table to determine the appropriate destination for the data request, and direct the data request to the appropriate destination.
- the client system 405 may generate information requests, convert the requests into data packets, sequence the data packets, perform error checking and other packet-switching techniques, and transmit the data packets to the routing processor 4802 .
- the routing processor 4802 may directly or indirectly route the data packets to a specified destination within or outside of the OSP host complex 480 .
- the routing processor 4802 may direct the data request to a local server 4804 .
- the muting processor 4802 may direct the data request externally to the Internet 465 or the IM host complex 490 through the gateway 485 .
- the OSP host complex 480 also includes a proxy server 4806 for directing data requests and/or otherwise facilitating communication between the client system 405 and the Internet 465 .
- the proxy server 4806 may include an IP (“Internet Protocol”) tunnel for converting data from OSP protocol into standard Internet protocol and transmitting the data to the Internet 465 .
- IP tunnel also converts data received from the Internet 465 in the standard Internet protocol back into the OSP protocol and sends the converted data to the routing processor 4802 for delivery back to the client system 405 .
- the proxy server 4806 also may allow the client system 405 to use standard Internet protocols and formatting to access the OSP host complex 480 and the Internet 465 .
- the subscriber may use an OSP TV client application having an embedded browser application installed on the client system 405 to generate a request in standard Internet protocol, such as HTTP (“HyperText Transport Protocol”).
- HTTP HyperText Transport Protocol
- data packets may be encapsulated inside a standard Internet tunneling protocol, such as, for example, UDP (“User Datagram Protocol”) and muted to the proxy server 4806 .
- the proxy sewer 4806 may include an L2TP (“Layer Two Tunneling Protocol”) tunnel capable of establishing a point-to-point protocol (PPP) session with the client system 405 .
- L2TP Layer Two Tunneling Protocol
- the proxy server 4806 also may act as a buffer between the client system 405 and the Internet 465 , and may implement content filtering and time saving techniques. For example, the proxy server 4806 can check parental controls settings of the client system 405 and request and transmit content from the Internet 465 according to the parental control settings.
- the proxy server 4806 may include one or more caches for storing frequently accessed information. If requested data is determined to be stored in the caches, the proxy server 4806 may send the information to the client system 405 from the caches and avoid the need to access the Internet 465 .
- a communications system 500 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between a client system 505 and a host system 510 through a communication link 515 .
- Client system 505 typically includes one or more client devices 520 and one or more client controllers 525 for controlling the client devices 520 .
- Host system 510 typically includes one or more host devices 535 and one or more host controllers 540 for controlling the host devices 535 .
- the communications link 515 may include communication pathways 550 and 555 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 560 .
- the client system 505 may access the Internet 565 through the host system 510 .
- Examples of each element within the communications system of FIG. 5 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4 .
- the client system 505 and the communications link 515 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems 105 , 205 , 305 , and 405 and communications links 115 , 215 , 315 , and 415 of FIGS. 1-4 .
- the host system 510 of FIG. 5 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the host systems 110 , 210 , 310 , and 410 shown in FIGS. 1-4 .
- FIG. 5 describes an aspect of the host system 510 , focusing primarily on one particular implementation of IM host complex 590 .
- the client system 505 includes a client device 520 and a client controller 525 .
- the client controller 525 is generally capable of establishing a connection to the host system 510 , including the OSP host complex 580 , the IM host complex 590 and/or the Internet 565 .
- the client controller 525 includes an IM application for communicating with servers in the IM host complex 590 utilizing exclusive IM protocols.
- the client controller 525 also may include applications, such as an OSP client application, and/or an Internet browser application for communicating with the OSP host complex 580 and the Internet 565 , respectively.
- the host system 510 includes a host device 535 and a host controller 540 .
- the host controller 540 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 535 .
- the host controller 540 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or more elements of the host device 535 .
- the host controller 540 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control the host device 535 .
- the host system 510 includes a login server 570 capable of enabling communications with and authorizing access by client systems 505 to various elements of the host system 510 , including an OSP host complex 580 and an IM host complex 590 .
- the login server 570 may implement one or more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to the OSP host complex 580 and the IM host complex 590 .
- the OSP host complex 580 and the IM host complex 590 are connected through one or more OSP host complex gateways 585 and one or more IM host complex gateways 595 .
- Each OSP host complex gateway 585 and IM host complex gateway 595 may perform any protocol conversions necessary to enable communication between the OSP host complex 580 , the IM host complex 590 , and the Internet 565 .
- the client system 505 To access the IM host complex 590 to begin an instant messaging session, the client system 505 establishes a connection to the login server 570 .
- the login server 570 typically determines whether the particular subscriber is authorized to access the IM host complex 590 by verifying a subscriber identification and password. If the subscriber is authorized to access the IM host complex 590 , the login server 570 employs a hashing technique on the subscriber's screen name to identify a particular IM server 5902 for use during the subscriber's session.
- the login server 570 provides the client system 505 with the IP address of the particular IM server 5902 , gives the client system 505 an encrypted key (i.e., a cookie), and breaks the connection.
- the client system 505 then uses the IP address to establish a connection to the particular IM server 5902 through the communications link 515 , and obtains access to that IM server 5902 using the encrypted key.
- the client system 505 will be equipped with a Winsock API (“Application Programming Interface”) that enables the client system 505 to establish an open TCP connection to the IM server 5902 .
- the client system 505 may directly or indirectly transmit data to and access content from the IM server 5902 and one or more associated domain servers 5904 .
- the IM server 5902 supports the fundamental instant messaging services and the domain servers 5904 may support associated services, such as, for example, administrative matters, directory services, chat and interest groups.
- the purpose of the domain servers 5904 is to lighten the load placed on the IM server 5902 by assuming responsibility for some of the services within the IM host complex 590 .
- a subscriber can use the IM client application to view whether particular subscribers (“buddies”) are online, exchange instant messages with particular subscribers, participate in group chat rooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, find other subscribers with similar interests, get customized news and stock quotes, and search the World Wide Web.
- subscribers (“buddies”) are online, exchange instant messages with particular subscribers, participate in group chat rooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, find other subscribers with similar interests, get customized news and stock quotes, and search the World Wide Web.
- the IM server 5902 is directly or indirectly connected to a routing gateway 5906 .
- the routing gateway 5906 facilitates the connection between the IM server 5902 and one or more alert multiplexors 5908 , for example, by serving as a link minimization tool or hub to connect several IM servers 5902 to several alert multiplexors 5908 .
- an alert multiplexor 5908 maintains a record of alerts and subscribers registered to receive the alerts.
- a subscriber can register for and/or receive one or more types of alerts.
- the connection pathway between the client system 505 and the alert multiplexor 5908 is determined by employing another hashing technique at the IM server 5902 to identify the particular alert multiplexor 5908 to be used for the subscriber's session.
- the IM server 5902 provides the client system 505 with the IP address of the particular alert multiplexor 5908 and gives the client system 505 an encrypted key (i.e., a cookie).
- the client system 505 uses the IP address to connect to the particular alert multiplexor 5908 through the communication link 515 and obtains access to the alert multiplexor 5908 using the encrypted key.
- the alert multiplexor 5908 is connected to an alert gate 5910 that, like the IM host complex gateway 595 , is capable of performing the necessary protocol conversions to form a bridge to the OSP host complex 580 .
- the alert gate 5910 is the interface between the IM host complex 590 and the physical servers, such as servers in the OSP host complex 580 , where state changes are occurring. In general, the information regarding state changes will be gathered and used by the IM host complex 590 .
- the alert multiplexor 5908 also may communicate with the OSP host complex 580 through the IM host complex gateway 595 , for example, to provide the servers and subscribers of the OSP host complex 580 with certain information gathered from the alert gate 5910 .
- the alert gate 5910 can detect an alert feed corresponding to a particular type of alert.
- the alert gate 5910 may include a piece of code (alert receive code) capable of interacting with another piece of code (alert broadcast code) on the physical server where a state change occurs.
- the alert receive code installed on the alert gate 5910 instructs the alert broadcast code installed on the physical server to send an alert feed to the alert gate 5910 upon the occurrence of a particular state change.
- the alert gate 5910 contacts the alert multiplexor 5908 , which in turn, informs the client system 505 of the detected alert feed.
- the IM host complex 590 also includes a subscriber profile server 5912 connected to a database 5914 for storing large amounts of subscriber profile data.
- the subscriber profile server 5912 may be used to enter, retrieve, edit, manipulate, or otherwise process subscriber profile data.
- a subscriber's profile data includes, for example, the subscriber's buddy list, alert preferences, designated stocks, identified interests, and geographic location. The subscriber may enter, edit and/or delete profile data using an installed IM client application on the client system 505 to interact with the subscriber profile server 5912 .
- the subscriber does not have to reenter or update such information in the event that the subscriber accesses the IM host complex 590 using a new or a different client system 505 . Accordingly, when a subscriber accesses the IM host complex 590 , the IM server 5902 can instruct the subscriber profile server 5912 to retrieve the subscriber's profile data from the database 5914 and to provide, for example, the subscriber's buddy list to the IM server 5902 and the subscriber's alert preferences to the alert multiplexor 5908 .
- the subscriber profile server 5912 also may communicate with other servers in the OSP host complex 580 to share subscriber profile data with other services. Alternatively, user profile data may be saved locally on the client device 505 .
- a communications system 600 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between a client system 605 and a host system 610 through a communication link 615 .
- Client system 605 typically includes one or more client devices 620 and one or more client controllers 625 for controlling the client devices 620 .
- Host system 610 typically includes one or more host devices 635 and one or more host controllers 640 for controlling the host devices 635 .
- the communication link 615 may include communication pathways 650 and 655 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 660 .
- the network 660 may be any known or described delivery network including, but not limited, to a telephone network and/or the Internet.
- Examples of each element within the communication system of FIG. 6 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 .
- the client system 605 and the communications link 615 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems 105 , 205 , 305 , 405 , and 505 and communications links 115 , 215 , 315 , 415 , and 515 of FIGS. 1-5 .
- the host system 610 of FIG. 6 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the host systems 110 , 210 , 310 , 410 , and 510 shown in FIGS. 1-5 , respectively.
- FIG. 6 describes an aspect of the host system 610 , focusing primarily on one particular implementation of the host device 635 .
- the client system 605 includes a client device 620 and a client controller 625 .
- the client controller 625 is generally capable of establishing a connection to the host system 610 through the delivery network 615 .
- the client controller 625 includes one or more applications, such as an IM application, an OSP application, and/or an Internet browser application.
- the host system 610 includes a host device 635 and a host controller 640 .
- the host controller 640 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 635 .
- the host controller 640 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or more elements of the host device 635 .
- the host controller 640 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control the host device 635 .
- the host device 635 includes a mail gateway 6350 having a send mail server 6352 and a read mail server 6354 .
- the send mail server 6352 is configured to perform functions relating to transmitting electronic data.
- the read mail server 6354 is configured to perform functions relating to receiving and accessing electronic data.
- the mail gateway 6350 is in communication with one or more processing servers 6360 .
- the mail gateway 6350 also is in communication with the storage area 6370 and a tandem database 6380 .
- the storage area 6370 includes electronic content databases 6372 , 6374 and attachment database 6376 .
- the tandem database 6380 includes a system of folders that store electronic data for subscribers of the host system 610 .
- the host device 635 also includes an identification (“ID”) host complex 6390 .
- the ID host complex 6390 includes a configuration server 6392 in communication with the client system 605 , the read mail server 6352 , a look-up server 6394 , and an IM server 6396 .
- the IM server 6396 typically has attributes comparable to some or all elements of IM host complexes 390 , 490 , 590 , and 690 .
- the IM server 6396 is capable of supporting instant messaging services including the identification of whether a particular individual is available for IM messaging, the look-up server 6394 is capable of finding subscriber account information (e.g., screen name) from a given e-mail address, and the configuration server 6392 is capable of configuring communication schemes between the intended recipient of an e-mail message and the sender and/or other recipients of the e-mail message.
- the configuration server 6392 may include an electronic data store (e.g., a cache) that may be used, for example, to cache attributes of electronic data communicated using the host 610 .
- a sender 702 and a host 704 interact according to a procedure 700 to transmit electronic data.
- the procedure 700 may be implemented by any type of hardware, software, device, computer, computer system, equipment, component, program, application, code, storage medium, or propagated signal.
- the sender 702 typically has attributes comparable to those described with respect to client devices 120 , 220 , 320 , 420 , 520 , and 620 and/or client controllers 125 , 225 , 325 , 425 , 525 , and 625 .
- the host 704 typically has attributes comparable to those described above with respect to host devices 135 , 235 , 335 , 435 , 535 , and 635 and/or host controllers 140 , 240 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 .
- the sender 702 and/or the host 704 may be directly or indirectly interconnected through a known or described delivery network.
- the sender 702 transmits electronic data to the host 704 (step 705 ).
- the sender 702 is a client system 605 associated with an end user of the communication system 600 .
- the sender 702 aids the client system 605 in transmitting electronic data through a communications link 615 to the host system 610 .
- the sender 702 is a processing server 6360 within the host system 610 .
- the processing server 6360 may be a web mail server arranged to store and forward electronic data transmitted between end users of the communication system 600 .
- the host 704 receives the electronic data from the sender 702 (step 710 ).
- the host 704 includes a mail gateway such as mail gateway 6350 of FIG. 6 .
- the mail gateway 6350 generally receives the electronic data from the client system 605 and/or the processing server 6360 .
- the mail gateway 6350 will receive electronic content from subscribers through a dial-up telephone network or DSL (digital subscriber line) and will receive electronic content from non-subscribers indirectly through the Internet.
- the mail gateway 6350 may perform protocol conversions if necessary to receive electronic content from non-subscribers.
- the host 704 determines one or more attributes of the electronic data (step 715 ). Attributes of the electronic data may include, but are not limited to, an identification token, the author of the electronic data, the recipient(s) of the electronic data, the subject of the electronic data, the date and time of the transmission, and/or whether the electronic data contains attachments or embedded images.
- the host 704 typically will store the contents and attributes of the electronic data. For example, in one implementation of the structure shown by FIG. 6 , contents of the electronic data are stored in the storage area 6370 and the attributes of the electronic data are cached locally in the configuration server 6392 and also stored in the tandem database 6380 .
- the body of the electronic data is stored in electronic content databases 6372 , 6374 and any attachments are stored in the attachment database 6376 .
- the body of the electronic data is stored twice to assure its availability. Due to the typically large sizes of attachments, however, such objects are only stored once to conserve memory space.
- the tandem database 6380 includes a system of actual or virtual folders corresponding to the subscribers of the host system 610 .
- Each folder may have properties assigned by the subscriber including, for example, properties for filtering electronic content from certain sources.
- the folder stores the attributes of the electronic data including the location(s) of the electronic data content (i.e., body and attachments) in. the storage area 6370 .
- the host 704 then provides supplemental contact information for a referenced individual (step 720 ).
- the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may be provided to the sender of the electronic data, the recipients of the electronic data, and other individuals referenced in the electronic data.
- the host 704 uses the supplemental contact information to configure a communication scheme between the recipient and the referenced individual.
- the supplemental contact information may include real time contact information.
- Real time contact information includes information that reflects the current availability of the user to communicate through one or more communication schemes.
- the real time contact information may include a referenced individual's current online status to communicate using instant messaging or a referenced individual's current availability to communicate using phone communications.
- real time contact information may include information that reflects contact information provided by the referenced individual for display to others seeking their availability when viewing electronic messages that identify the individual.
- FIG. 8 illustrates one implementation of a process 720 for providing supplemental contact information for a referenced individual.
- the configuration server 6392 detects a token or other information capable of identifying incoming electronic data (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message) (step 805 ).
- the identification token may be intercepted by the configuration server 6392 and/or presented to the configuration server 6392 by the client system 605 , the processing server 6360 , and/or the read mail server 6354 (communication path not shown by FIG. 6 ).
- the configuration server 6392 accesses a cache (step 810 ) and determines whether attributes of the electronic data are stored locally (step 815 ).
- Such attributes may include, but are not limited to, a listing of referenced individuals associated with the electronic data.
- the listing of referenced individuals may include the sender and all recipients associated with the electronic data identified from addressing information.
- the listing of referenced individuals also may include names detected in the body of an electronic communication.
- the listing of referenced individuals associated with an e-mail message may include the sender of the e-mail message, all recipients of the e-mail message, and any names of individuals detected in the body of the e-mail message.
- the configuration server 6392 retrieves the attributes from the local cache (step 820 ). If, on the other hand, attributes of the electronic data are not stored locally, the configuration server 6392 determines the attributes of the electronic data (step 825 ) and then supplements the local cache with those attributes (step 830 ). The configuration server 6392 may determine the attributes of the electronic data itself and/or may access another server to determine the attributes. In one implementation, the configuration server 6392 accesses the read mail server 6354 . The read mail server 6354 then determines attributes of the electronic data. Determining attributes of the electronic data may include detecting referenced individuals associated with the electronic data by examining addressing information and the content of the electronic data. The read mail server 6354 then presents the attributes to the configuration server 6392 . The configuration server 6392 receives the listing from the read mail server 6354 and stores the listing in the local cache.
- the configuration server 6392 sends the listing of referenced individuals to the look-up server 6394 , which can be used to determine the real time messaging capability of each referenced individual (step 835 ).
- the look-up server 6394 determines whether supplemental contact information is associated with any or all referenced individuals.
- the supplemental contact information may include e-mail addresses, IM screen names, telephone numbers, and/or mailing addresses associated with the referenced individual.
- the referenced individuals may or may not be subscribers of the communication system 600 .
- the listing includes e-mail addresses of subscribers and non-subscribers.
- the configuration server 6392 may strip the domain (e.g., @aol.com) from the e-mail address of a subscriber with a recognized domain to obtain the subscriber's screen name and facilitate a reverse look-up process.
- the listing includes names detected in the content of an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message) or e-mail addresses otherwise recognizable to the configuration server 6392 .
- the supplemental contact information will be provided by the referenced individuals themselves and will be maintained by the host system 610 .
- a subscriber may provide contact information when establishing an account with the host system 610 .
- a subscriber also may provide contact information transparently by connecting to host system 610 and allowing the host system 610 to monitor the subscriber's online presence.
- the host system 610 maintains a global electronic address book containing supplemental contact information associated with subscribers.
- Each subscriber may control what type of contact information is provided and to whom such contact information is made available.
- each subscriber may place conditions on when certain contact information is made available. For instance, a subscriber may make certain contact information available only at specified times.
- a subscriber may make supplemental contact information available only to family members.
- the subscriber may have minimal privacy concerns and therefore may allow family members access to supplemental contact information including home and work e-mail addresses, IM screen names, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and mailing addresses.
- the subscriber may provide contact information for a person to contact in emergency cases when the subscriber is unavailable.
- the subscriber may make supplemental contact information available to fellow employees during working hours.
- the subscriber may allow fellow employees access to supplemental contact information including a work e-mail address, IM screen name, telephone number, facsimile number, and mailing address.
- the subscriber may provide contact information for an assistant or supervisor that people should contact in urgent cases when the subscriber is unavailable.
- the supplemental contact information may include an office layout (i.e., a map) so that a remote manager may be able to reach an unresponsive employee by sending a message to an employee located in close proximity to the unresponsive employee.
- the subscriber may set preferences to enable the supplemental contact information to be provided to designated persons. For example, the subscriber may designate which group or groups of persons may receive the supplemental contact information, such as, senders of electronic messages, other recipient of electronic messages, and/or other individuals referenced. The subscriber may designate specific individuals to received the supplemental contact information. Additionally and/or alternatively, the subscriber may designate specific individuals who should be blocked from receiving the supplemental contact information.
- a subscriber may set preferences that control the presentation of supplemental contact information by the host system 610 .
- the subscriber may allow the host system 610 to examine some or all of the content of electronic messages sent to or by the subscriber.
- the host system 610 may examine the content of an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message) authored by the subscriber or delivered to the subscriber, detect names of referenced individuals included in the electronic message, and provide supplemental contact information for each referenced individual, if available.
- an electronic message e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message
- the host system 610 may update a personal address book associated with the subscriber. For example, the host system 610 may ask the subscriber if a referenced individual should be included in a subscriber's personal address book and/or may ask the subscriber if an existing entry for a referenced individual in the subscriber's personal address book should be updated with the supplemental contact information. Upon receiving an affirmative response from the subscriber, the host system 610 may populate and/or update the subscriber's personal address book. The subscriber's personal address book may be maintained on the host system 610 and/or on the subscriber's client system 605 .
- a subscriber may allow the host system 610 to facilitate the acquisition of supplemental contact information.
- a subscriber will set preferences that control the amount of intervention by the host system 610 .
- a subscriber may allow the host system 610 to automatically update a global electronic address book containing supplemental contact information associated with the subscriber. That is, the host system 610 may be permitted to automatically update a subscriber's contact information in the global electronic address book as new contact information for the subscriber becomes available. For example, contact information may be automatically added or updated whenever a subscriber creates and/or changes an e-mail address, screen name, telephone number, facsimile number, and/or mailing address. As such, the most current contact information associated with the subscriber may be made available to other subscribers.
- the configuration server 6392 interacts with the IM server 6396 to make known whether referenced individuals are available for instant messaging communication, and to enable such communications.
- the configuration server 6392 may request the IM server 6396 to identify the IM state (e.g., online, offline, away, busy, not a member) of each referenced individual.
- the IM server 6396 may be a network of interconnected servers capable of determining the status or online presence of subscribers. The online presence of the referenced individual can be detected, for example, from a persistent connection to an IM server and/or the activity of a specific control port.
- the IM server 6396 identifies the IM state of the referenced individual to the configuration server 6392 .
- the IM state is given by whether the referenced individual is online, offline, or does not have instant messaging capability.
- the configuration server 6392 may instruct the IM server 6396 to send an invitation to referenced individuals without instant messaging capability.
- the invitation may invite the referenced individual to subscribe to the IM host complex 6390 and/or the host system 610 .
- the IM server 6396 reports whether each referenced individual is online or offline.
- the look-up server 6394 reports the real time messaging capabilities of each referenced individual to the configuration server 6392 (step 840 ).
- the look-up server 6394 identifies the capability of each referenced individual to communicate by e-mail, instant messaging, telephone, facsimile, and regular mail, for example, by using icons near references to the individual's name/reference within the electronic content, or by changing the font of the individual's name/reference.
- the look-up server 6394 also may provide supplemental contact information (e.g., screen name, e-mail address, telephone number, facsimile number, mailing address) to the configuration server 6392 . Based on the reported capabilities of the references individuals, the configuration server 6392 facilitates real time communication with each referenced individual.
- the configuration server 6392 may present a particular instant messaging user interface (“UI”).
- UI instant messaging user interface
- the configuration server 6392 may cause a user's existing buddy list window to be updated with the screen names of referenced individuals capable of participating in an IM session.
- a new buddy list window may be created and updated with referenced individuals capable of participating in an IM session.
- the UI 900 includes a buddy list window. The screen names of referenced individuals who are able to receive instant messages will appear in the buddy list window in a new group called Mail Contacts.
- a user may send an instant message to a person in the Mail Contacts list by clicking that person's screen name.
- a buddy list window may be presented with a screen name of the referenced individual.
- FIG. 10 illustrates another example of how the IM state of each of the sender and the recipients may be represented.
- An icon may indicate that the referenced individual has IM capability.
- the icon may be presented upon opening an e-mail message, for example, in response to one or more redirection commands associated with the IM state of the referenced individual.
- the redirection command may include a URL for navigating a browser to a particular URL associated with a graphical user interface and/or icon corresponding to one of the IM states. By clicking on the IM icon, a subscriber may launch an instant message.
- the referenced individual does not presently have IM capability, and selection of the subscriber reference (e.g., screen name) may elicit a list of other contact information.
- the configuration server 6392 may receive an e-mail address for a referenced individual with e-mail capability.
- the configuration server 6392 displays an e-mail address of a referenced individual. By clicking the e-mail address, the subscriber may launch an e-mail message to the referenced individual, or the user may be presented with other forms of contact information such as the telephone number of the individual.
- the e-mail address is displayed according to the supplemental contact information.
- the displayed e-mail address is not necessarily the e-mail address included in the originally-transmitted message.
- the preferred e-mail address will displace another e-mail address.
- a referenced individual Sally Smith
- a work e-mail address Sallysmith@straitsight.com
- a home e-mail address Sallysmith@aol.com
- FIGS. 11 a and 11 b illustrate another example of how the supplemental contact information for referenced individuals may be presented.
- e-mail 1100 includes two referenced individuals in the body of the e-mail 1100 (i.e., John Doe 1105 and Tim Smith 1110 ).
- a window e.g., a pop-up window
- pop-up window 1120 displays John Doe's supplemental contact information.
- the supplemental contact information displayed in the pop-up window 1120 may depend on the date and/or time at which the e-mail is being viewed.
- the date-time stamp 1125 a on e-mail 1100 indicates that the e-mail 1100 is being viewed on “04/24/2002 11:26 AM” 1125 a .
- the supplemental contact information for John Doe indicates that the address “JDOE@AOL.COM” 1130 a should be used to reach John Doe by e-mail.
- the pop-up window 1120 displays different supplemental contact information for John Doe 1105 .
- the supplemental contact information for John Doe indicates that the address “JDOE@AIM.COM” 1130 b should be used to reach John Doe by e-mail.
- the contact information may be provided for individuals referenced in the header (e.g., To, From, cc) or body of the message, and may be formed of complete or partial names or aliases, or by complete or partial reference to other contact information that is recognizable and that may be associated with the individual.
- the pop-up window of FIGS. 11 a and 11 b while shown as being positioned so as to avoid overlap of the current message, may be positioned over, under, or away from the viewable area of the message that references the individual.
- an individual referenced in an electronic message may make other supplemental information available to recipients of the electronic message based on the preferences of the recipient.
- a host system may facilitate this exchange of supplemental information by maintaining this other supplemental information for the referenced individual and by enabling recipients to designate the other supplemental information they desire to receive about referenced individuals.
- the host may maintain other supplemental information provided by the referenced individual, such as, for example, a type of PDA used, date of birth, clothes sizes, favorites (e.g., type of food or restaurant), and other types of other supplemental information.
- a recipient who also may subscribe to the host system, may designate what other supplemental information the recipient desires to receive about referenced individuals, if that information is made available by a referenced individual. For example, in addition to supplemental contact information, a recipient also may want to receive information about a referenced individual's favorite restaurant. As long as that information is made available by a referenced individual, then the recipient may receive that information.
- supplemental contact information such as telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and mailing addresses for the referenced individual may be displayed.
- all available supplemental contact information for a referenced individual is displayed.
- a pull-down menu listing all supplemental contact information for a referenced individual may be presented by clicking text or an icon associated with the referenced individual.
- a subscriber may choose the manner in which to contact the referenced individual.
- only the most efficient or reliable ways of contacting the referenced individual are displayed. For example, limited contact information such as a primary e-mail address, screen name, and telephone number may be displayed even if other contact information is available.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/149,368 filed on May 31, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/146,814 filed on May 17, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,979,802, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/843,788 filed on Apr. 30, 2001 and now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/229,311 filed on Sep. 1, 2000; and 60/201,738 filed on May 4, 2000. Each of the aforementioned applications and patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- The present invention relates generally to online communications systems and more particularly to an online communications system that automatically provides supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual
- In the client-server network architecture of the Internet and/or the Web, electronic documents are stored in computer systems running server programs and are accessed by computer systems running client programs. For example, information on the Web is provided by Web servers and is accessible by a client program such as a Web browser (e.g., Netscape's Navigator, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, or Java's micro-browser).
- Information on the Internet and/or Web may be represented by specially formatted text files (e.g., Web pages) written in Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”) or some other markup language, such as XML, HDML, and/or VRML. Each text file may be identified by a network address such as a Universal Resource Locator (“URL”). A typical Web page may include one or more hyperlinks referring to the network addresses of other Web pages. Hyperlinks may be displayed as underlined text or graphical images that, when clicked, send a request for the associated page. For example, when a hyperlink in a home page is selected, a request is sent out by the client to the address specified in the hyperlink, and the associated Web page is downloaded and displayed, by replacing the home page on the user's screen with the associated Web page.
- Browsers and other client programs typically use a communications protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”) to request pages from Web sewers. HTTP is a request/response protocol. Through a connection established between a client and a server, the client sends a request to the server, and the server provides a response to the client.
- An Internet service provider (“ISP”) may be used to provide subscribers with access to the Internet and/or the World Wide Web (“Web”). In general, a subscriber relies on an ISP to provide computers that are connected to and therefore enable communication over the Internet and/or the Web. An ISP may offer services in addition to basic Internet access such as, for example, providing e-mail and instant messaging services that enable electronic communication, Web-hosting services that allow subscribers to publish homepages, newsgroup services that allow subscribers to read and post to newsgroups, and image services that allow subscribers to view and order digital images of pictures from a developed film roll.
- In one general aspect, providing supplemental contact information for an individual referenced in an electronic message typically includes receiving an electronic message, examining the electronic message, detecting an identifier for a referenced individual contained in the electronic message, and making supplemental contact information for the referenced individual available to a recipient of the electronic message. The supplemental contact information may include information that is in addition to information contained in the electronic message.
- Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may include an e-mail address, a screen name, a telephone number, a facsimile number, and/or a mailing address, each of which is associated with the referenced individual. The supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may include supplemental contact information that was communicated by the referenced individual to a host that maintains the supplemental contact information. The electronic message may include an e-mail message and/or an instant message.
- A communication scheme may be configured between a sender of the electronic message and the individual referenced in the electronic message using the supplemental contact information. The referenced individual may include a sender of the electronic message, a recipient of the electronic message, and/or a name included in a body of the electronic message.
- The preferences of the referenced individual may be checked such that the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual is made available according to the preferences of the referenced individual. Additionally or alternatively, the preferences of the recipient may be checked such that additional supplemental information is made available for the referenced individual according to the preferences of the recipient.
- A personal address book may be updated with the supplemental contact information of the referenced individual. A global address book that includes the supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may be maintained. The global address book may be automatically updated when the referenced individual makes changes to the supplemental contact information.
- A status of online presence for the referenced individual may be made available. A real time messaging capability of the referenced individual may be determined such that the real time messaging capability of the referenced individual may be made available.
- An invitation may be sent to the referenced individual to subscribe to an instant messaging service. An invitation to subscribe to an instant messaging service may be sent to a referenced individual who is not an instant messaging service subscriber.
- An e-mail address may be detected for the referenced individual and a domain may be snipped from the e-mail address such that a reverse-lookup may be performed to obtain an instant messaging screen name for the referenced individual. An indicator associated with the referenced individual may be displayed to indicate available supplemental contact information.
- The referenced individual may define the rights of recipients for viewing the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual. The referenced individual may define the rights of recipients for viewing the supplemental contact information to change temporally. The referenced individual may define the rights of recipients to enable only designated recipients to view the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual, only persons designated in a personal address book to view the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual, and/or only persons designated in a global address book to view the supplemental contact information associated with the referenced individual.
- The supplemental contact information may include a screen name, which may be added to an instant messaging buddy list. Real time contact information for the referenced individual may be made available to the recipient of the electronic message.
- In another general aspect, receiving supplemental contact information for an individual referenced in an electronic message typically includes receiving from a host an electronic message that includes an identifier for a referenced individual and receiving supplemental contact information for the referenced individual from the host. The supplemental contact information may be in addition to information contained in the electronic message.
- Implementations may include one or more of the features described above.
- These general and specific aspects may be implemented using a system, a method, or a computer program, or any combination of systems, methods, and computer programs.
- Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system. -
FIGS. 2-6 are block diagrams of expansions of aspects of the block diagram ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 7 and 8 are flows charts of communications methods that may be implemented by the system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 9-11 are illustrations of different graphical user interfaces that may be provided by the system ofFIG. 1 . - For illustrative purposes,
FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data. For brevity, several elements in the figures described below are represented as monolithic entities. However, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, these elements each may include numerous interconnected computers and components designed to perform a set of specified operations and/or may be dedicated to a particular geographical region. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , acommunications system 100 is capable of delivering and exchanging data between aclient system 105 and ahost system 110 through acommunications link 115. Theclient system 105 typically includes one ormore client devices 120 and/orclient controllers 125, and thehost system 110 typically includes one ormore host devices 135 and/orhost controllers 140. For example, theclient system 105 or thehost system 110 may include one or more general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers), one or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices specifically programmed to communicate with each other and/or theclient system 105 or the host system 110), or a combination of one or more general-purpose computers and one or more special-purpose computers. Theclient system 105 and thehost system 110 may be arranged to operate within or in concert with one or more other systems, such as, for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”) and/or one or more WANs (“Wide Area Networks”). - The client device 120 (or the host device 135) is generally capable of executing instructions under the command of a client controller 125 (or a host controller 140). The client device 120 (or the host device 135) is connected to the client controller 125 (or the host controller 140) by a wired or
wireless data pathway - The
client device 120, theclient controller 125, thehost device 135, and thehost controller 140 each typically include one or more hardware components and/or software components. An example of aclient device 120 or ahost device 135 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer) capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. Other examples include a special-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a component, other physical or virtual equipment or some combination thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions. Theclient device 120 and thehost device 135 may include devices that are capable of peer-to-peer communications. - An example of
client controller 125 or ahost controller 140 is a software application loaded on theclient device 120 or thehost device 135 for commanding and directing communications enabled by theclient device 120 or thehost device 135. Other examples include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructing theclient device 120 or thehost device 135 to interact and operate as described. Theclient controller 125 and thehost controller 140 may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of providing instructions to theclient device 120 or thehost device 135. - The communications link 115 typically includes a
delivery network 160 making a direct or indirect communication between theclient system 105 and thehost system 110, irrespective of physical separation. Examples of adelivery network 160 include the Internet, the World Wide Web, WANs, LANs, analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, and xDSL), radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery mechanism for carrying data. The communications link 115 may includecommunication pathways more delivery networks 160 described above. Each of thecommunication pathways -
FIG. 2 illustrates acommunications system 200 including aclient system 205 communicating with ahost system 210 through acommunications link 215.Client system 205 typically includes one ormore client devices 220 and one ormore client controllers 225 for controlling theclient devices 220.Host system 210 typically includes one ormore host devices 235 and one ormore host controllers 240 for controlling thehost devices 235. The communications link 215 may includecommunication pathways 250 and 255 that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks 260. - Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 2 are broadly described above with respect toFIG. 1 . In particular, thehost system 210 and the communications link 215 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect tohost system 110 and communications link 115 ofFIG. 1 . Likewise, theclient system 205 ofFIG. 2 typically has attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of theclient system 105 ofFIG. 1 . - The
client device 220 typically includes a general-purpose computer 270 having an internal orexternal storage 272 for storing data and programs such as an operating system 274 (e.g., DOS, Windows™, Windows 95™, Windows 98™, Windows 2000™, Windows Mc™, Windows XP™, Windows NT™, OS/2, or Linux) and one or more application programs. Examples of application programs include authoring applications 276 (e.g., word processing programs, database programs, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs) capable of generating documents or other electronic content; client applications 278 (e.g., AOL client, CompuServe client, AIM client, AOL TV client, or ISP client) capable of communicating with other computer users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content; and browser applications 280 (e.g., Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer) capable of rendering standard Internet content. - The general-
purpose computer 270 also includes a central processing unit 282 (CPU) for executing instructions in response to commands from theclient controller 225. In one implementation, theclient controller 225 includes one or more of the application programs installed on the internal orexternal storage 272 of the general-purpose computer 270. In another implementation, theclient controller 225 includes application programs externally stored in and performed by one or more device(s) external to the general-purpose computer 270. - The general-purpose computer typically will include a
communication device 284 for sending and receiving data. One example of thecommunication device 284 is a modem. Other examples include a transceiver, a set-top box, a communication card, a satellite dish, an antenna, or another network adapter capable of transmitting and receiving data over the communications link 215 through a wired or wireless data pathway 250. The general-purpose computer 270 also may include a TV (“television”)tuner 286 for receiving television programming in the form of broadcast, satellite, and/or cable TV signals. As a result, theclient device 220 can selectively and/or simultaneously display network content received bycommunications device 284 and television programming content received by theTV tuner 286. - The general-
purpose computer 270 typically will include an input/output interface 288 for wired or wireless connection to variousperipheral devices 290. Examples ofperipheral devices 290 include, but are not limited to, amouse 291, amobile phone 292, a personal digital assistant 293 (PDA), a MP3 player (not shown), akeyboard 294, adisplay monitor 295 with or without a touch screen input, a TVremote control 296 for receiving information from and rendering information to subscribers, and anaudiovisual input device 298. - Although devices such as a
mobile telephone 292, aPDA 293, a MP3 player (not shown), and a TVremote control 296 may be peripheral with respect to the general-purpose computer 270, in another implementation, such devices may themselves include the functionality of the general-purpose computer 270 and operate as theclient device 220. For example, themobile phone 292 or thePDA 293 may include computing and networking capabilities and function as aclient device 220 by accessing the delivery network 260 and communicating with thehost system 210. Furthermore, theclient system 205 may include one, some or all of the components and devices described above. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , acommunications system 300 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between aclient system 305 and ahost system 310 through acommunication link 315.Client system 305 typically includes one ormore client devices 320 and one ormore client controllers 325 for controlling theclient devices 320.Host system 310 typically includes one ormore host devices 335 and one ormore host controllers 340 for controlling thehost devices 335. The communications link 315 may includecommunication pathways more delivery networks 360. - Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 3 are broadly described above with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2 . In particular, theclient system 305 and the communications link 315 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect toclient systems communications links FIGS. 1 and 2 . Likewise, thehost system 310 ofFIG. 3 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of thehost systems FIGS. 1 and 2 . - The
host system 310 includes ahost device 335 and ahost controller 340. Thehost controller 340 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of thehost device 335. For example, in one implementation, thehost controller 340 includes one or more software applications loaded on thehost device 335. In other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 340 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control thehost device 335. - The
host device 335 includes alogin server 370 for enabling access by subscribers and for routing communications between theclient system 305 and other elements of thehost device 335. Thehost device 335 also includes various host complexes such as the depicted OSP (“Online Service Provider”)host complex 380 and IM (“Instant Messaging”)host complex 390. To enable access to these host complexes by subscribers, theclient system 305 includes communication software, for example, an OSP client application and an IM client application. The OSP and IM communication software applications are designed to facilitate the subscriber's interactions with the respective services and, in particular, may provide access to all the services available within the respective host complexes. - Typically, the
OSP host complex 380 supports different services, such as e-mail, discussion groups, chat, news services, and Internet access. TheOSP host complex 380 is generally designed with an architecture that enables the machines within theOSP host complex 380 to communicate with each other and employs certain protocols (i.e., standards, formats, conventions, rules, and structures) to transfer data. TheOSP host complex 380 ordinarily employs one or more OSP protocols and custom dialing engines to enable access by selected client applications. TheOSP host complex 380 may define one or more specific protocols for each service based on a common, underlying proprietary protocol. - The
IM host complex 390 is generally independent of theOSP host complex 380, and supports instant messaging services irrespective of a subscriber's network or Internet access. Thus, theIM host complex 390 allows subscribers to send and receive instant messages, whether or not they have access to any particular ISP. TheIM host complex 390 may support associated services, such as administrative matters, advertising, directory services, chat, and interest groups related to the instant messaging. TheIM host complex 390 has an architecture that enables all of the machines within the IM host complex to communicate with each other. To transfer data, theIM host complex 390 employs one or more standard or exclusive IM protocols. - The
host device 335 may include one or more gateways that connect and therefore link complexes, such as the OSPhost complex gateway 385 and the IMhost complex gateway 395. The OSPhost complex gateway 385 and the IMhost complex gateway 395 may directly or indirectly link theOSP host complex 380 with theIM host complex 390 through a wired or wireless pathway. Ordinarily, when used to facilitate a link between complexes, the OSPhost complex gateway 385 and the IMhost complex gateway 395 are privy to information regarding the protocol type anticipated by a destination complex, which enables any necessary protocol conversion to be performed incident to the transfer of data from one complex to another. For instance, theOSP host complex 380 andIM host complex 390 generally use different protocols such that transferring data between the complexes requires protocol conversion by or at the request of the OSPhost complex gateway 385 and/or the IMhost complex gateway 395. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , acommunications system 400 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between aclient system 405 and ahost system 410 through acommunication link 415.Client system 405 typically includes one ormore client devices 420 and one ormore client controllers 425 for controlling theclient devices 420.Host system 410 typically includes one ormore host devices 435 and one ormore host controllers 440 for controlling thehost devices 435. The communications link 415 may includecommunication pathways more delivery networks 460. As shown, theclient system 405 may access theInternet 465 through thehost system 410. - Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 4 are broadly described above with respect toFIGS. 1-3 . In particular, theclient system 405 and the communications link 415 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect toclient systems communications links FIGS. 1-3 . Likewise, thehost system 410 ofFIG. 4 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of thehost systems FIGS. 1-3 .FIG. 4 describes an aspect of thehost system 410, focusing primarily on one particular implementation ofOSP host complex 480. - The
client system 405 includes aclient device 420 and aclient controller 425. Theclient controller 425 is generally capable of establishing a connection to thehost system 410, including theOSP host complex 480, theIM host complex 490 and/or theInternet 465. In one implementation, theclient controller 425 includes an OSP application for communicating with servers in theOSP host complex 480 using exclusive OSP protocols. Theclient controller 425 also may include applications, such as an IM client application, and/or an Internet browser application, for communicating with theIM host complex 490 and theInternet 465. - The
host system 410 includes ahost device 435 and ahost controller 440. Thehost controller 440 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of thehost device 435. For example, in one implementation, thehost controller 440 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or more elements of thehost device 435. In other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 440 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control thehost device 435. - The
host system 410 includes alogin server 470 capable of enabling communications with and authorizing access byclient systems 405 to various elements of thehost system 410, including anOSP host complex 480 and anIM host complex 490. Thelogin server 470 may implement one or more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to theOSP host complex 480 and theIM host complex 490. TheOSP host complex 480 and theIM host complex 490 are connected through one or more OSPhost complex gateways 485 and one or more IMhost complex gateways 495. Each OSPhost complex gateway 485 and IMhost complex gateway 495 may perform any protocol conversions necessary to enable communications between theOSP host complex 480, theIM host complex 490, and theInternet 465. - The
OSP host complex 480 supports a set of services from one or more servers located internal to and external from theOSP host complex 480. Servers external to theOSP host complex 480 generally may be viewed as existing on theInternet 465. Servers internal to the OSP complex 480 may be arranged in one or more configurations. For example, servers may be arranged in centralized or localized clusters in order to distribute servers and subscribers within theOSP host complex 480. - In one implementation of
FIG. 4 , theOSP host complex 480 includes arouting processor 4802. In general, therouting processor 4802 will examine an address field of a data request, use a mapping table to determine the appropriate destination for the data request, and direct the data request to the appropriate destination. In a packet-based implementation, theclient system 405 may generate information requests, convert the requests into data packets, sequence the data packets, perform error checking and other packet-switching techniques, and transmit the data packets to therouting processor 4802. Upon receiving data packets from theclient system 405, therouting processor 4802 may directly or indirectly route the data packets to a specified destination within or outside of theOSP host complex 480. For example, in the event that a data request from theclient system 405 can be satisfied locally, therouting processor 4802 may direct the data request to alocal server 4804. In the event that the data request cannot be satisfied locally, the mutingprocessor 4802 may direct the data request externally to theInternet 465 or theIM host complex 490 through thegateway 485. - The
OSP host complex 480 also includes aproxy server 4806 for directing data requests and/or otherwise facilitating communication between theclient system 405 and theInternet 465. Theproxy server 4806 may include an IP (“Internet Protocol”) tunnel for converting data from OSP protocol into standard Internet protocol and transmitting the data to theInternet 465. The IP tunnel also converts data received from theInternet 465 in the standard Internet protocol back into the OSP protocol and sends the converted data to therouting processor 4802 for delivery back to theclient system 405. - The
proxy server 4806 also may allow theclient system 405 to use standard Internet protocols and formatting to access theOSP host complex 480 and theInternet 465. For example, the subscriber may use an OSP TV client application having an embedded browser application installed on theclient system 405 to generate a request in standard Internet protocol, such as HTTP (“HyperText Transport Protocol”). In a packet-based implementation, data packets may be encapsulated inside a standard Internet tunneling protocol, such as, for example, UDP (“User Datagram Protocol”) and muted to theproxy server 4806. Theproxy sewer 4806 may include an L2TP (“Layer Two Tunneling Protocol”) tunnel capable of establishing a point-to-point protocol (PPP) session with theclient system 405. - The
proxy server 4806 also may act as a buffer between theclient system 405 and theInternet 465, and may implement content filtering and time saving techniques. For example, theproxy server 4806 can check parental controls settings of theclient system 405 and request and transmit content from theInternet 465 according to the parental control settings. In addition, theproxy server 4806 may include one or more caches for storing frequently accessed information. If requested data is determined to be stored in the caches, theproxy server 4806 may send the information to theclient system 405 from the caches and avoid the need to access theInternet 465. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , acommunications system 500 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between aclient system 505 and ahost system 510 through acommunication link 515.Client system 505 typically includes one ormore client devices 520 and one ormore client controllers 525 for controlling theclient devices 520.Host system 510 typically includes one ormore host devices 535 and one ormore host controllers 540 for controlling thehost devices 535. The communications link 515 may includecommunication pathways more delivery networks 560. As shown, theclient system 505 may access theInternet 565 through thehost system 510. - Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 5 are broadly described above with respect toFIGS. 1-4 . In particular, theclient system 505 and the communications link 515 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect toclient systems communications links FIGS. 1-4 . Likewise, thehost system 510 ofFIG. 5 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of thehost systems FIGS. 1-4 .FIG. 5 describes an aspect of thehost system 510, focusing primarily on one particular implementation ofIM host complex 590. - The
client system 505 includes aclient device 520 and aclient controller 525. Theclient controller 525 is generally capable of establishing a connection to thehost system 510, including theOSP host complex 580, theIM host complex 590 and/or theInternet 565. In one implementation, theclient controller 525 includes an IM application for communicating with servers in theIM host complex 590 utilizing exclusive IM protocols. Theclient controller 525 also may include applications, such as an OSP client application, and/or an Internet browser application for communicating with theOSP host complex 580 and theInternet 565, respectively. - The
host system 510 includes ahost device 535 and ahost controller 540. Thehost controller 540 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of thehost device 535. For example, in one implementation, thehost controller 540 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or more elements of thehost device 535. However, in other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 540 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control thehost device 535. - The
host system 510 includes alogin server 570 capable of enabling communications with and authorizing access byclient systems 505 to various elements of thehost system 510, including anOSP host complex 580 and anIM host complex 590. Thelogin server 570 may implement one or more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to theOSP host complex 580 and theIM host complex 590. TheOSP host complex 580 and theIM host complex 590 are connected through one or more OSPhost complex gateways 585 and one or more IMhost complex gateways 595. Each OSPhost complex gateway 585 and IMhost complex gateway 595 may perform any protocol conversions necessary to enable communication between theOSP host complex 580, theIM host complex 590, and theInternet 565. - To access the
IM host complex 590 to begin an instant messaging session, theclient system 505 establishes a connection to thelogin server 570. Thelogin server 570 typically determines whether the particular subscriber is authorized to access theIM host complex 590 by verifying a subscriber identification and password. If the subscriber is authorized to access theIM host complex 590, thelogin server 570 employs a hashing technique on the subscriber's screen name to identify aparticular IM server 5902 for use during the subscriber's session. Thelogin server 570 provides theclient system 505 with the IP address of theparticular IM server 5902, gives theclient system 505 an encrypted key (i.e., a cookie), and breaks the connection. Theclient system 505 then uses the IP address to establish a connection to theparticular IM server 5902 through the communications link 515, and obtains access to thatIM server 5902 using the encrypted key. Typically, theclient system 505 will be equipped with a Winsock API (“Application Programming Interface”) that enables theclient system 505 to establish an open TCP connection to theIM server 5902. - Once a connection to the
IM server 5902 has been established, theclient system 505 may directly or indirectly transmit data to and access content from theIM server 5902 and one or more associateddomain servers 5904. TheIM server 5902 supports the fundamental instant messaging services and thedomain servers 5904 may support associated services, such as, for example, administrative matters, directory services, chat and interest groups. In general, the purpose of thedomain servers 5904 is to lighten the load placed on theIM server 5902 by assuming responsibility for some of the services within theIM host complex 590. By accessing theIM server 5902 and/or thedomain server 5904, a subscriber can use the IM client application to view whether particular subscribers (“buddies”) are online, exchange instant messages with particular subscribers, participate in group chat rooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, find other subscribers with similar interests, get customized news and stock quotes, and search the World Wide Web. - In the implementation of
FIG. 5 , theIM server 5902 is directly or indirectly connected to arouting gateway 5906. Therouting gateway 5906 facilitates the connection between theIM server 5902 and one or morealert multiplexors 5908, for example, by serving as a link minimization tool or hub to connectseveral IM servers 5902 toseveral alert multiplexors 5908. In general, analert multiplexor 5908 maintains a record of alerts and subscribers registered to receive the alerts. - Once the
client system 505 is connected to thealert multiplexor 5908, a subscriber can register for and/or receive one or more types of alerts. The connection pathway between theclient system 505 and thealert multiplexor 5908 is determined by employing another hashing technique at theIM server 5902 to identify theparticular alert multiplexor 5908 to be used for the subscriber's session. Once theparticular multiplexor 5908 has been identified, theIM server 5902 provides theclient system 505 with the IP address of theparticular alert multiplexor 5908 and gives theclient system 505 an encrypted key (i.e., a cookie). Theclient system 505 then uses the IP address to connect to theparticular alert multiplexor 5908 through thecommunication link 515 and obtains access to thealert multiplexor 5908 using the encrypted key. - The
alert multiplexor 5908 is connected to analert gate 5910 that, like the IMhost complex gateway 595, is capable of performing the necessary protocol conversions to form a bridge to theOSP host complex 580. Thealert gate 5910 is the interface between theIM host complex 590 and the physical servers, such as servers in theOSP host complex 580, where state changes are occurring. In general, the information regarding state changes will be gathered and used by theIM host complex 590. However, thealert multiplexor 5908 also may communicate with theOSP host complex 580 through the IMhost complex gateway 595, for example, to provide the servers and subscribers of theOSP host complex 580 with certain information gathered from thealert gate 5910. - The
alert gate 5910 can detect an alert feed corresponding to a particular type of alert. Thealert gate 5910 may include a piece of code (alert receive code) capable of interacting with another piece of code (alert broadcast code) on the physical server where a state change occurs. In general, the alert receive code installed on thealert gate 5910 instructs the alert broadcast code installed on the physical server to send an alert feed to thealert gate 5910 upon the occurrence of a particular state change. Upon detecting an alert feed, thealert gate 5910 contacts thealert multiplexor 5908, which in turn, informs theclient system 505 of the detected alert feed. - In the implementation of
FIG. 5 , theIM host complex 590 also includes asubscriber profile server 5912 connected to adatabase 5914 for storing large amounts of subscriber profile data. Thesubscriber profile server 5912 may be used to enter, retrieve, edit, manipulate, or otherwise process subscriber profile data. In one implementation, a subscriber's profile data includes, for example, the subscriber's buddy list, alert preferences, designated stocks, identified interests, and geographic location. The subscriber may enter, edit and/or delete profile data using an installed IM client application on theclient system 505 to interact with thesubscriber profile server 5912. - Because the subscriber's data is stored in the
IM host complex 590, the subscriber does not have to reenter or update such information in the event that the subscriber accesses theIM host complex 590 using a new or adifferent client system 505. Accordingly, when a subscriber accesses theIM host complex 590, theIM server 5902 can instruct thesubscriber profile server 5912 to retrieve the subscriber's profile data from thedatabase 5914 and to provide, for example, the subscriber's buddy list to theIM server 5902 and the subscriber's alert preferences to thealert multiplexor 5908. Thesubscriber profile server 5912 also may communicate with other servers in theOSP host complex 580 to share subscriber profile data with other services. Alternatively, user profile data may be saved locally on theclient device 505. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , acommunications system 600 is capable of delivering and exchanging information between aclient system 605 and ahost system 610 through acommunication link 615.Client system 605 typically includes one ormore client devices 620 and one ormore client controllers 625 for controlling theclient devices 620.Host system 610 typically includes one ormore host devices 635 and one ormore host controllers 640 for controlling thehost devices 635. Thecommunication link 615 may includecommunication pathways more delivery networks 660. Thenetwork 660 may be any known or described delivery network including, but not limited, to a telephone network and/or the Internet. - Examples of each element within the communication system of
FIG. 6 are broadly described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5 . In particular, theclient system 605 and the communications link 615 typically have attributes comparable to those described with respect toclient systems communications links FIGS. 1-5 . Likewise, thehost system 610 ofFIG. 6 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of thehost systems FIGS. 1-5 , respectively. However,FIG. 6 describes an aspect of thehost system 610, focusing primarily on one particular implementation of thehost device 635. - The
client system 605 includes aclient device 620 and aclient controller 625. Theclient controller 625 is generally capable of establishing a connection to thehost system 610 through thedelivery network 615. In one implementation, theclient controller 625 includes one or more applications, such as an IM application, an OSP application, and/or an Internet browser application. - The
host system 610 includes ahost device 635 and ahost controller 640. Thehost controller 640 is generally capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of thehost device 635. For example, in one implementation, thehost controller 640 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or more elements of thehost device 635. However, in other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 640 may include any of several other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or collectively to control thehost device 635. Thehost device 635 includes amail gateway 6350 having asend mail server 6352 and a read mail server 6354. Thesend mail server 6352 is configured to perform functions relating to transmitting electronic data. The read mail server 6354 is configured to perform functions relating to receiving and accessing electronic data. Themail gateway 6350 is in communication with one ormore processing servers 6360. - The
mail gateway 6350 also is in communication with thestorage area 6370 and atandem database 6380. Thestorage area 6370 includeselectronic content databases attachment database 6376. Thetandem database 6380 includes a system of folders that store electronic data for subscribers of thehost system 610. - The
host device 635 also includes an identification (“ID”)host complex 6390. TheID host complex 6390 includes aconfiguration server 6392 in communication with theclient system 605, theread mail server 6352, a look-upserver 6394, and anIM server 6396. TheIM server 6396 typically has attributes comparable to some or all elements ofIM host complexes IM server 6396 is capable of supporting instant messaging services including the identification of whether a particular individual is available for IM messaging, the look-upserver 6394 is capable of finding subscriber account information (e.g., screen name) from a given e-mail address, and theconfiguration server 6392 is capable of configuring communication schemes between the intended recipient of an e-mail message and the sender and/or other recipients of the e-mail message. Theconfiguration server 6392 may include an electronic data store (e.g., a cache) that may be used, for example, to cache attributes of electronic data communicated using thehost 610. The cache of attributes of electronic data may be associated with a previously encountered message (e.g., a cache entry may indicate that a message stored in the cache with ID=514 references individuals x, y, z) to avoid the need to analyze the message each time it is encountered. - Referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , asender 702 and ahost 704 interact according to aprocedure 700 to transmit electronic data. Theprocedure 700 may be implemented by any type of hardware, software, device, computer, computer system, equipment, component, program, application, code, storage medium, or propagated signal. - Examples of each element of
FIGS. 7 and 8 are broadly described above with respect toFIGS. 1-6 . In particular, thesender 702 typically has attributes comparable to those described with respect toclient devices client controllers host 704 typically has attributes comparable to those described above with respect tohost devices host controllers sender 702 and/or thehost 704 may be directly or indirectly interconnected through a known or described delivery network. - Initially, the
sender 702 transmits electronic data to the host 704 (step 705). In one implementation, thesender 702 is aclient system 605 associated with an end user of thecommunication system 600. In another implementation, thesender 702 aids theclient system 605 in transmitting electronic data through a communications link 615 to thehost system 610. In yet another implementation, thesender 702 is aprocessing server 6360 within thehost system 610. For example, theprocessing server 6360 may be a web mail server arranged to store and forward electronic data transmitted between end users of thecommunication system 600. - The
host 704 receives the electronic data from the sender 702 (step 710). In one implementation, thehost 704 includes a mail gateway such asmail gateway 6350 ofFIG. 6 . In this implementation, themail gateway 6350 generally receives the electronic data from theclient system 605 and/or theprocessing server 6360. Typically, themail gateway 6350 will receive electronic content from subscribers through a dial-up telephone network or DSL (digital subscriber line) and will receive electronic content from non-subscribers indirectly through the Internet. Themail gateway 6350 may perform protocol conversions if necessary to receive electronic content from non-subscribers. - After receiving the electronic data from the sender 702 (step 710), the
host 704 determines one or more attributes of the electronic data (step 715). Attributes of the electronic data may include, but are not limited to, an identification token, the author of the electronic data, the recipient(s) of the electronic data, the subject of the electronic data, the date and time of the transmission, and/or whether the electronic data contains attachments or embedded images. Thehost 704 typically will store the contents and attributes of the electronic data. For example, in one implementation of the structure shown byFIG. 6 , contents of the electronic data are stored in thestorage area 6370 and the attributes of the electronic data are cached locally in theconfiguration server 6392 and also stored in thetandem database 6380. The body of the electronic data is stored inelectronic content databases attachment database 6376. In this example, the body of the electronic data is stored twice to assure its availability. Due to the typically large sizes of attachments, however, such objects are only stored once to conserve memory space. - The
tandem database 6380 includes a system of actual or virtual folders corresponding to the subscribers of thehost system 610. Each folder may have properties assigned by the subscriber including, for example, properties for filtering electronic content from certain sources. When electronic data are received, the folder stores the attributes of the electronic data including the location(s) of the electronic data content (i.e., body and attachments) in. thestorage area 6370. - The
host 704 then provides supplemental contact information for a referenced individual (step 720). The supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may be provided to the sender of the electronic data, the recipients of the electronic data, and other individuals referenced in the electronic data. In one implementation, thehost 704 uses the supplemental contact information to configure a communication scheme between the recipient and the referenced individual. - In one implementation, the supplemental contact information may include real time contact information. Real time contact information includes information that reflects the current availability of the user to communicate through one or more communication schemes. For example, the real time contact information may include a referenced individual's current online status to communicate using instant messaging or a referenced individual's current availability to communicate using phone communications.
- Additionally or alternatively, real time contact information may include information that reflects contact information provided by the referenced individual for display to others seeking their availability when viewing electronic messages that identify the individual.
-
FIG. 8 illustrates one implementation of aprocess 720 for providing supplemental contact information for a referenced individual. Initially, theconfiguration server 6392 detects a token or other information capable of identifying incoming electronic data (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message) (step 805). The identification token may be intercepted by theconfiguration server 6392 and/or presented to theconfiguration server 6392 by theclient system 605, theprocessing server 6360, and/or the read mail server 6354 (communication path not shown byFIG. 6 ). Referencing the token, theconfiguration server 6392 accesses a cache (step 810) and determines whether attributes of the electronic data are stored locally (step 815). Such attributes may include, but are not limited to, a listing of referenced individuals associated with the electronic data. The listing of referenced individuals may include the sender and all recipients associated with the electronic data identified from addressing information. The listing of referenced individuals also may include names detected in the body of an electronic communication. For example, the listing of referenced individuals associated with an e-mail message may include the sender of the e-mail message, all recipients of the e-mail message, and any names of individuals detected in the body of the e-mail message. - If attributes of the electronic data are stored locally, the
configuration server 6392 retrieves the attributes from the local cache (step 820). If, on the other hand, attributes of the electronic data are not stored locally, theconfiguration server 6392 determines the attributes of the electronic data (step 825) and then supplements the local cache with those attributes (step 830). Theconfiguration server 6392 may determine the attributes of the electronic data itself and/or may access another server to determine the attributes. In one implementation, theconfiguration server 6392 accesses the read mail server 6354. The read mail server 6354 then determines attributes of the electronic data. Determining attributes of the electronic data may include detecting referenced individuals associated with the electronic data by examining addressing information and the content of the electronic data. The read mail server 6354 then presents the attributes to theconfiguration server 6392. Theconfiguration server 6392 receives the listing from the read mail server 6354 and stores the listing in the local cache. - The
configuration server 6392 sends the listing of referenced individuals to the look-upserver 6394, which can be used to determine the real time messaging capability of each referenced individual (step 835). In one implementation, the look-upserver 6394 determines whether supplemental contact information is associated with any or all referenced individuals. The supplemental contact information may include e-mail addresses, IM screen names, telephone numbers, and/or mailing addresses associated with the referenced individual. However, the referenced individuals may or may not be subscribers of thecommunication system 600. For instance, in one implementation, the listing includes e-mail addresses of subscribers and non-subscribers. Thus, to facilitate a determination of real time messaging capabilities, theconfiguration server 6392 may strip the domain (e.g., @aol.com) from the e-mail address of a subscriber with a recognized domain to obtain the subscriber's screen name and facilitate a reverse look-up process. In another implementation, the listing includes names detected in the content of an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message) or e-mail addresses otherwise recognizable to theconfiguration server 6392. - In general, the supplemental contact information will be provided by the referenced individuals themselves and will be maintained by the
host system 610. For example, a subscriber may provide contact information when establishing an account with thehost system 610. A subscriber also may provide contact information transparently by connecting tohost system 610 and allowing thehost system 610 to monitor the subscriber's online presence. In one implementation, thehost system 610 maintains a global electronic address book containing supplemental contact information associated with subscribers. Each subscriber may control what type of contact information is provided and to whom such contact information is made available. In addition, each subscriber may place conditions on when certain contact information is made available. For instance, a subscriber may make certain contact information available only at specified times. - In one example, a subscriber may make supplemental contact information available only to family members. In this example, the subscriber may have minimal privacy concerns and therefore may allow family members access to supplemental contact information including home and work e-mail addresses, IM screen names, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and mailing addresses. In addition, the subscriber may provide contact information for a person to contact in emergency cases when the subscriber is unavailable.
- In another example, the subscriber may make supplemental contact information available to fellow employees during working hours. In this example, the subscriber may allow fellow employees access to supplemental contact information including a work e-mail address, IM screen name, telephone number, facsimile number, and mailing address. In addition, the subscriber may provide contact information for an assistant or supervisor that people should contact in urgent cases when the subscriber is unavailable. In another example for a working environment, the supplemental contact information may include an office layout (i.e., a map) so that a remote manager may be able to reach an unresponsive employee by sending a message to an employee located in close proximity to the unresponsive employee.
- In yet another example, the subscriber may set preferences to enable the supplemental contact information to be provided to designated persons. For example, the subscriber may designate which group or groups of persons may receive the supplemental contact information, such as, senders of electronic messages, other recipient of electronic messages, and/or other individuals referenced. The subscriber may designate specific individuals to received the supplemental contact information. Additionally and/or alternatively, the subscriber may designate specific individuals who should be blocked from receiving the supplemental contact information.
- A subscriber may set preferences that control the presentation of supplemental contact information by the
host system 610. For example, the subscriber may allow thehost system 610 to examine some or all of the content of electronic messages sent to or by the subscriber. In one implementation, thehost system 610 may examine the content of an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message) authored by the subscriber or delivered to the subscriber, detect names of referenced individuals included in the electronic message, and provide supplemental contact information for each referenced individual, if available. - In addition, the
host system 610 may update a personal address book associated with the subscriber. For example, thehost system 610 may ask the subscriber if a referenced individual should be included in a subscriber's personal address book and/or may ask the subscriber if an existing entry for a referenced individual in the subscriber's personal address book should be updated with the supplemental contact information. Upon receiving an affirmative response from the subscriber, thehost system 610 may populate and/or update the subscriber's personal address book. The subscriber's personal address book may be maintained on thehost system 610 and/or on the subscriber'sclient system 605. - In some cases, a subscriber may allow the
host system 610 to facilitate the acquisition of supplemental contact information. Typically, a subscriber will set preferences that control the amount of intervention by thehost system 610. In one implementation, a subscriber may allow thehost system 610 to automatically update a global electronic address book containing supplemental contact information associated with the subscriber. That is, thehost system 610 may be permitted to automatically update a subscriber's contact information in the global electronic address book as new contact information for the subscriber becomes available. For example, contact information may be automatically added or updated whenever a subscriber creates and/or changes an e-mail address, screen name, telephone number, facsimile number, and/or mailing address. As such, the most current contact information associated with the subscriber may be made available to other subscribers. - In one implementation, the
configuration server 6392 interacts with theIM server 6396 to make known whether referenced individuals are available for instant messaging communication, and to enable such communications. For example, theconfiguration server 6392 may request theIM server 6396 to identify the IM state (e.g., online, offline, away, busy, not a member) of each referenced individual. As described above, theIM server 6396 may be a network of interconnected servers capable of determining the status or online presence of subscribers. The online presence of the referenced individual can be detected, for example, from a persistent connection to an IM server and/or the activity of a specific control port. - In response to the request, the
IM server 6396 identifies the IM state of the referenced individual to theconfiguration server 6392. In one implementation, the IM state is given by whether the referenced individual is online, offline, or does not have instant messaging capability. Theconfiguration server 6392 may instruct theIM server 6396 to send an invitation to referenced individuals without instant messaging capability. The invitation may invite the referenced individual to subscribe to theIM host complex 6390 and/or thehost system 610. For referenced individuals having instant messaging capability, theIM server 6396 reports whether each referenced individual is online or offline. - Once the look-up
server 6394 has determined the supplemental contact information for the referenced individuals, the look-upserver 6394 reports the real time messaging capabilities of each referenced individual to the configuration server 6392 (step 840). In one implementation, the look-upserver 6394 identifies the capability of each referenced individual to communicate by e-mail, instant messaging, telephone, facsimile, and regular mail, for example, by using icons near references to the individual's name/reference within the electronic content, or by changing the font of the individual's name/reference. The look-upserver 6394 also may provide supplemental contact information (e.g., screen name, e-mail address, telephone number, facsimile number, mailing address) to theconfiguration server 6392. Based on the reported capabilities of the references individuals, theconfiguration server 6392 facilitates real time communication with each referenced individual. - In one implementation, when the look-up
server 6394 reports the real time messaging capabilities of each referenced individual to theconfiguration server 6392, theconfiguration server 6392 may present a particular instant messaging user interface (“UI”). For example, theconfiguration server 6392 may cause a user's existing buddy list window to be updated with the screen names of referenced individuals capable of participating in an IM session. Additionally or alternatively, a new buddy list window may be created and updated with referenced individuals capable of participating in an IM session. In the example ofFIG. 9 , theUI 900 includes a buddy list window. The screen names of referenced individuals who are able to receive instant messages will appear in the buddy list window in a new group called Mail Contacts. A user may send an instant message to a person in the Mail Contacts list by clicking that person's screen name. Thus, when an individual referenced in electronic content (e.g., in an e-mail) is determined to have IM capabilities, a buddy list window may be presented with a screen name of the referenced individual. -
FIG. 10 illustrates another example of how the IM state of each of the sender and the recipients may be represented. An icon may indicate that the referenced individual has IM capability. The icon may be presented upon opening an e-mail message, for example, in response to one or more redirection commands associated with the IM state of the referenced individual. The redirection command may include a URL for navigating a browser to a particular URL associated with a graphical user interface and/or icon corresponding to one of the IM states. By clicking on the IM icon, a subscriber may launch an instant message. - Where an icon does not appear next to a referenced individual, the referenced individual does not presently have IM capability, and selection of the subscriber reference (e.g., screen name) may elicit a list of other contact information. Thus, even if a referenced individual does not have IM capability, a subscriber still may be able to communicate with the referenced individual through an alternate communication scheme. For example, the
configuration server 6392 may receive an e-mail address for a referenced individual with e-mail capability. In one implementation, theconfiguration server 6392 displays an e-mail address of a referenced individual. By clicking the e-mail address, the subscriber may launch an e-mail message to the referenced individual, or the user may be presented with other forms of contact information such as the telephone number of the individual. - It should be noted that the e-mail address is displayed according to the supplemental contact information. As such, the displayed e-mail address is not necessarily the e-mail address included in the originally-transmitted message. For example, if a referenced individual has indicated a preferred e-mail address, the preferred e-mail address will displace another e-mail address. To illustrate with reference to
FIG. 10 , assume that a referenced individual (Sally Smith) has indicated that a work e-mail address (sallysmith@straitsight.com) is to be provided as supplemental contact information during working hours and that a home e-mail address (sallysmith@aol.com) is to be provided as supplemental contact information during all other times. Even if a sender (Chris Barker) sends the e-mail message using the home e-mail address (sallysmith@aol.com), the work e-mail address (sallysmith@straitsight.com) may be displayed when the e-mail message is opened during working hours. -
FIGS. 11 a and 11 b illustrate another example of how the supplemental contact information for referenced individuals may be presented. For example, inFIG. 11 a,e-mail 1100 includes two referenced individuals in the body of the e-mail 1100 (i.e.,John Doe 1105 and Tim Smith 1110). As thecursor 1115 is moved over the referencedindividuals cursor 1115 is moved overJohn Doe 1105, pop-upwindow 1120 displays John Doe's supplemental contact information. - The supplemental contact information displayed in the pop-up
window 1120 may depend on the date and/or time at which the e-mail is being viewed. In this case, the date-time stamp 1125 a one-mail 1100 indicates that thee-mail 1100 is being viewed on “04/24/2002 11:26 AM” 1125 a. Based on the date and the time 1125 a that thee-mail 1100 is being viewed, the supplemental contact information for John Doe indicates that the address “JDOE@AOL.COM” 1130 a should be used to reach John Doe by e-mail. - In
FIG. 11 b, when thesame e-mail 1100 is viewed at a different time 1125 b, the pop-upwindow 1120 displays different supplemental contact information forJohn Doe 1105. In this case, based on the date and time 1125 b that thee-mail 1100 is being viewed, the supplemental contact information for John Doe indicates that the address “JDOE@AIM.COM” 1130 b should be used to reach John Doe by e-mail. - As is true with respect to other drawings, the contact information may be provided for individuals referenced in the header (e.g., To, From, cc) or body of the message, and may be formed of complete or partial names or aliases, or by complete or partial reference to other contact information that is recognizable and that may be associated with the individual. Furthermore, the pop-up window of
FIGS. 11 a and 11 b, while shown as being positioned so as to avoid overlap of the current message, may be positioned over, under, or away from the viewable area of the message that references the individual. - In one exemplary implementation, an individual referenced in an electronic message may make other supplemental information available to recipients of the electronic message based on the preferences of the recipient. A host system may facilitate this exchange of supplemental information by maintaining this other supplemental information for the referenced individual and by enabling recipients to designate the other supplemental information they desire to receive about referenced individuals. For example, the host may maintain other supplemental information provided by the referenced individual, such as, for example, a type of PDA used, date of birth, clothes sizes, favorites (e.g., type of food or restaurant), and other types of other supplemental information. A recipient, who also may subscribe to the host system, may designate what other supplemental information the recipient desires to receive about referenced individuals, if that information is made available by a referenced individual. For example, in addition to supplemental contact information, a recipient also may want to receive information about a referenced individual's favorite restaurant. As long as that information is made available by a referenced individual, then the recipient may receive that information.
- While the general aspects described above relate to instant messaging and e-mail, other types of supplemental contact information such as telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and mailing addresses for the referenced individual may be displayed. In some implementations, all available supplemental contact information for a referenced individual is displayed. For example, a pull-down menu listing all supplemental contact information for a referenced individual may be presented by clicking text or an icon associated with the referenced individual. In such cases, a subscriber may choose the manner in which to contact the referenced individual. In other implementations, only the most efficient or reliable ways of contacting the referenced individual are displayed. For example, limited contact information such as a primary e-mail address, screen name, and telephone number may be displayed even if other contact information is available.
- Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (2)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/617,402 US9531654B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Adding contacts from a hovering interface |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US20173800P | 2000-05-04 | 2000-05-04 | |
US22931100P | 2000-09-01 | 2000-09-01 | |
US84378801A | 2001-04-30 | 2001-04-30 | |
US10/146,814 US7979802B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2002-05-17 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/149,368 US20110231507A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2011-05-31 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/617,402 US9531654B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Adding contacts from a hovering interface |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/149,368 Continuation US20110231507A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2011-05-31 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130073652A1 true US20130073652A1 (en) | 2013-03-21 |
US9531654B2 US9531654B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 |
Family
ID=29548294
Family Applications (9)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/146,814 Expired - Fee Related US7979802B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2002-05-17 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/149,368 Abandoned US20110231507A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2011-05-31 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/616,630 Abandoned US20130073645A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/617,374 Expired - Lifetime US9621493B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Providing supplemental information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/617,402 Expired - Lifetime US9531654B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Adding contacts from a hovering interface |
US13/784,647 Expired - Lifetime US9699122B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2013-03-04 | User interfaces for providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US14/586,793 Expired - Lifetime US9461950B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2014-12-30 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US15/237,883 Expired - Lifetime US10158588B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2016-08-16 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US16/223,016 Abandoned US20190166077A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2018-12-17 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
Family Applications Before (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/146,814 Expired - Fee Related US7979802B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2002-05-17 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/149,368 Abandoned US20110231507A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2011-05-31 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/616,630 Abandoned US20130073645A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US13/617,374 Expired - Lifetime US9621493B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2012-09-14 | Providing supplemental information corresponding to a referenced individual |
Family Applications After (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/784,647 Expired - Lifetime US9699122B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2013-03-04 | User interfaces for providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US14/586,793 Expired - Lifetime US9461950B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2014-12-30 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US15/237,883 Expired - Lifetime US10158588B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2016-08-16 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US16/223,016 Abandoned US20190166077A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2018-12-17 | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (9) | US7979802B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1535141B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003241507A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2486135C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003098425A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110231507A1 (en) * | 2000-05-04 | 2011-09-22 | Aol Inc. | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US8959164B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-02-17 | Facebook, Inc. | Tri-state presence indicator |
US9043418B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-05-26 | Facebook, Inc. | Systems and methods for instant messaging persons referenced in an electronic message |
US9100221B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-08-04 | Facebook, Inc. | Systems for messaging senders and recipients of an electronic message |
US9356894B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2016-05-31 | Facebook, Inc. | Enabled and disabled menu choices based on presence state |
US9363213B2 (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2016-06-07 | Facebook, Inc. | E-mail integrated instant messaging |
US9360996B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2016-06-07 | Facebook, Inc. | Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book |
Families Citing this family (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6912564B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2005-06-28 | America Online, Inc. | System for instant messaging the sender and recipients of an e-mail message |
US8868659B2 (en) | 2001-05-15 | 2014-10-21 | Avaya Inc. | Method and apparatus for automatic notification and response |
US8495163B2 (en) | 2004-03-18 | 2013-07-23 | Avaya, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a publish-subscribe system with templates for role-based view of subscriptions |
US7263614B2 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2007-08-28 | Aol Llc | Implicit access for communications pathway |
US8635273B2 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2014-01-21 | Aol Inc. | Announcing new users of an electronic communications system to existing users |
US8239452B2 (en) * | 2004-05-01 | 2012-08-07 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for discovering and publishing of presence information on a network |
US8019875B1 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2011-09-13 | Google Inc. | Systems and methods for indicating a user state in a social network |
US20090100010A1 (en) * | 2005-10-26 | 2009-04-16 | Zimbra, Inc. | System and method for seamlessly integrating separate information systems within an application |
CN100558045C (en) * | 2006-08-07 | 2009-11-04 | 华为技术有限公司 | A kind of system and method that generates communication customer description information |
JP4713532B2 (en) * | 2007-03-29 | 2011-06-29 | 株式会社エヌ・ティ・ティ・ドコモ | Communication terminal and program thereof |
US10671600B1 (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2020-06-02 | Avaya Inc. | Communications-enabled dynamic social network routing utilizing presence |
US20090168977A1 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2009-07-02 | Brian Galvin | Apparatus and Methods Incorporating Presence Dynamics |
FR2942929B1 (en) * | 2009-03-03 | 2011-04-08 | Miyowa | METHOD FOR ACTIVATING PROPOSED FUNCTIONALITIES IN A COMPUTER TERMINAL |
ES2472324T3 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2014-06-30 | Synchronoss Technologies France | Instant messaging service in a mobile terminal |
EP2320363A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2011-05-11 | Research In Motion Limited | A method for predicting messaging addresses for an electronic message composed on an electronic device |
US8341230B2 (en) | 2009-10-30 | 2012-12-25 | Research In Motion Limited | Method for predicting messaging addresses for an electronic message composed on an electronic device |
US9094358B2 (en) | 2010-03-17 | 2015-07-28 | Blackberry Limited | System and method for sending data indirectly to a recipient using another device |
EP2367145A1 (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2011-09-21 | Research In Motion Limited | System and method for sending data indirectly to a recipient using another device |
WO2011137931A1 (en) * | 2010-05-05 | 2011-11-10 | Nokia Siemens Networks Oy | Social network connections |
KR101714534B1 (en) | 2010-12-06 | 2017-03-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and apparatus for providing privacy protecting function in mobile terminal |
US9111262B2 (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2015-08-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Email message association |
US9626651B2 (en) * | 2011-02-04 | 2017-04-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Automated social network introductions for e-meetings |
US8887092B2 (en) | 2011-09-12 | 2014-11-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Contact selector that facilitates granular sharing of contact data |
US9350824B2 (en) * | 2011-10-08 | 2016-05-24 | Broadcom Corporation | Social device service and support via automatic group association |
EP2587745A1 (en) * | 2011-10-26 | 2013-05-01 | Swisscom AG | A method and system of obtaining contact information for a person or an entity |
WO2014000143A1 (en) * | 2012-06-25 | 2014-01-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Input method editor application platform |
US9241017B2 (en) * | 2012-07-03 | 2016-01-19 | Salesforce.Com, Inc. | Systems and methods for cross domain service component interaction |
CN103684979B (en) | 2012-09-13 | 2017-09-08 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | The method and apparatus in geographical position in a kind of acquisition chat content |
US10447641B2 (en) * | 2013-11-15 | 2019-10-15 | Google Technology Holdings LLC | Name composition assistance in messaging applications |
US9614915B2 (en) * | 2014-08-18 | 2017-04-04 | Google Inc. | Seamless peer to peer internet connectivity |
US10277578B2 (en) * | 2015-01-05 | 2019-04-30 | Citrix Systems, Inc. | Securing network activity managed by operating systems |
US10423304B2 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2019-09-24 | International Business Machines Corporation | Dynamic web actions palette |
EP3361706A1 (en) * | 2017-02-14 | 2018-08-15 | Webtext Holdings Limited | A redirection bridge device and system, a method of redirection bridging, method of use of a user interface and a software product |
US11140174B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2021-10-05 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Time and location controlled centralized access management system |
CN110022394A (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2019-07-16 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Method, apparatus, equipment and the storage medium of address book contact intelligent updating |
CN112035202B (en) * | 2020-08-25 | 2021-11-23 | 北京字节跳动网络技术有限公司 | Method and device for displaying friend activity information, electronic equipment and storage medium |
CN112468647B (en) * | 2020-11-23 | 2022-08-02 | 深圳传音控股股份有限公司 | Control method of mobile terminal, mobile terminal and storage medium |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020069223A1 (en) * | 2000-11-17 | 2002-06-06 | Goodisman Aaron A. | Methods and systems to link data |
US6549937B1 (en) * | 1999-07-21 | 2003-04-15 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for multi-protocol communication in a computer network |
US20030079024A1 (en) * | 2001-10-19 | 2003-04-24 | Hough Paul James | Querying applications using online messenger service |
US20030217073A1 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2003-11-20 | Walther Dan E. | Increasing the level of automation when scheduling and managing meetings |
US7076546B1 (en) * | 1999-02-10 | 2006-07-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Browser for use in accessing hypertext documents in a multi-user computer environment |
Family Cites Families (407)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US623357A (en) * | 1899-04-18 | William evans | ||
US4837798A (en) | 1986-06-02 | 1989-06-06 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company | Communication system having unified messaging |
GB2228162B (en) | 1989-02-08 | 1993-05-19 | Philips Electronic Associated | Mobile radio transmission system and a mobile station for use in the system |
IL90277A0 (en) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-12-15 | Shmuel Shapira | System for locating compatible persons at a given locality |
US5838458A (en) | 1992-02-25 | 1998-11-17 | Tsai; Irving | Method and apparatus for linking designated portions of a received document image with an electronic address |
US5583920A (en) | 1992-04-17 | 1996-12-10 | Bell Atlantic | Intelligent peripheral in video dial tone network |
GB2271204B (en) | 1992-10-01 | 1996-01-03 | Digital Equipment Int | Digital system memory access |
US5327486A (en) | 1993-03-22 | 1994-07-05 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Method and system for managing telecommunications such as telephone calls |
DE69400115T2 (en) | 1993-06-22 | 1996-11-14 | Vmx Inc | Electronic messaging system with integrated voice messages |
US5548637A (en) | 1993-09-09 | 1996-08-20 | Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. | Method and apparatus for locating personnel and objects in response to telephone inquiries |
DE4332945A1 (en) | 1993-09-28 | 1995-03-30 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Positioning and navigation device with satellite support |
US5689641A (en) | 1993-10-01 | 1997-11-18 | Vicor, Inc. | Multimedia collaboration system arrangement for routing compressed AV signal through a participant site without decompressing the AV signal |
GB2319136B (en) | 1993-10-01 | 1998-06-24 | Vicor Inc | Teleconferencing system |
US5574934A (en) | 1993-11-24 | 1996-11-12 | Intel Corporation | Preemptive priority-based transmission of signals using virtual channels |
EP0674271A1 (en) | 1994-03-24 | 1995-09-27 | NCR International, Inc. | Security aspects of computer resources |
US5721906A (en) | 1994-03-24 | 1998-02-24 | Ncr Corporation | Multiple repositories of computer resources, transparent to user |
US6026403A (en) | 1994-03-24 | 2000-02-15 | Ncr Corporation | Computer system for management of resources |
US5870549A (en) | 1995-04-28 | 1999-02-09 | Bobo, Ii; Charles R. | Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages |
US5742905A (en) | 1994-09-19 | 1998-04-21 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Personal communications internetworking |
US6009413A (en) | 1994-11-10 | 1999-12-28 | America Online, Inc. | System for real time shopping |
US5533110A (en) | 1994-11-29 | 1996-07-02 | Mitel Corporation | Human machine interface for telephone feature invocation |
EP0717545A3 (en) | 1994-12-13 | 1998-06-17 | AT&T Corp. | Interactive telephone networking service |
CA2139081C (en) | 1994-12-23 | 1999-02-02 | Alastair Gordon | Unified messaging system and method |
US5694616A (en) | 1994-12-30 | 1997-12-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for prioritization of email items by selectively associating priority attribute with at least one and fewer than all of the recipients |
JPH08314826A (en) | 1995-05-15 | 1996-11-29 | Hitachi Ltd | System and device for electronic interactive answer for cooperated work supporting system |
US5650994A (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1997-07-22 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Operation support system for service creation and network provisioning for video dial tone networks |
US6026429A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 2000-02-15 | America Online, Inc. | Seamless integration of internet resources |
US6181867B1 (en) | 1995-06-07 | 2001-01-30 | Intervu, Inc. | Video storage and retrieval system |
US6089940A (en) | 1995-06-12 | 2000-07-18 | Farrar; Rodney K. | Model airplane kit |
US5610910A (en) | 1995-08-17 | 1997-03-11 | Northern Telecom Limited | Access to telecommunications networks in multi-service environment |
TW366674B (en) | 1995-08-30 | 1999-08-11 | Motorola Inc | Method and apparatus for marking messages in selective call receivers |
WO1997010558A1 (en) | 1995-09-14 | 1997-03-20 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Method and system for providing continually updated personalized information |
US6108704A (en) | 1995-09-25 | 2000-08-22 | Netspeak Corporation | Point-to-point internet protocol |
US5737328A (en) * | 1995-10-04 | 1998-04-07 | Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. | Network communication system with information rerouting capabilities |
US5774670A (en) | 1995-10-06 | 1998-06-30 | Netscape Communications Corporation | Persistent client state in a hypertext transfer protocol based client-server system |
US5790800A (en) | 1995-10-13 | 1998-08-04 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Client application program mobilizer |
US6085223A (en) | 1995-10-20 | 2000-07-04 | Ncr Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing database information to non-requesting clients |
US5765033A (en) | 1997-02-06 | 1998-06-09 | Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc. | System for routing electronic mails |
US5948058A (en) | 1995-10-30 | 1999-09-07 | Nec Corporation | Method and apparatus for cataloging and displaying e-mail using a classification rule preparing means and providing cataloging a piece of e-mail into multiple categories or classification types based on e-mail object information |
US5960173A (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1999-09-28 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | System and method enabling awareness of others working on similar tasks in a computer work environment |
US5793365A (en) | 1996-01-02 | 1998-08-11 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | System and method providing a computer user interface enabling access to distributed workgroup members |
US5802470A (en) | 1996-01-11 | 1998-09-01 | At&T Corp | Automated wireless-call completion using a paging network |
US6065047A (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2000-05-16 | America Online, Inc. | System for providing subscriber with access to a content area customized for the combination of subscriber's responses to topic prompt, subtopic prompt, and action prompt |
JP3651508B2 (en) | 1996-01-31 | 2005-05-25 | ソニー株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and information processing method |
US5878219A (en) | 1996-03-12 | 1999-03-02 | America Online, Inc. | System for integrating access to proprietary and internet resources |
US6311211B1 (en) | 1996-04-19 | 2001-10-30 | Juno Online Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for delivering electronic advocacy messages |
US6014638A (en) | 1996-05-29 | 2000-01-11 | America Online, Inc. | System for customizing computer displays in accordance with user preferences |
US5870769A (en) | 1996-06-07 | 1999-02-09 | At&T Corp. | Internet access system and method with active link status indicators |
US5983369A (en) | 1996-06-17 | 1999-11-09 | Sony Corporation | Online simultaneous/altering-audio/video/voice data based service and support for computer systems |
US5946617A (en) | 1996-06-28 | 1999-08-31 | Telxon Corporation | Cellular communication system with remote power source for providing power to access points |
US5835724A (en) | 1996-07-03 | 1998-11-10 | Electronic Data Systems Corporation | System and method for communication information using the internet that receives and maintains information concerning the client and generates and conveys the session data to the client |
US5919247A (en) | 1996-07-24 | 1999-07-06 | Marimba, Inc. | Method for the distribution of code and data updates |
US6189019B1 (en) | 1996-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | Microsoft Corporation | Computer system and computer-implemented process for presenting document connectivity |
US5850594A (en) | 1996-08-26 | 1998-12-15 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for efficiently transmitting addresses and messages from portable messaging units over a wireless communication channel |
US5764916A (en) | 1996-09-27 | 1998-06-09 | Ichat, Inc. | Method and apparatus for real time communication over a computer network |
IL119364A (en) | 1996-10-06 | 2000-11-21 | Icq Inc | Communications system |
US5974446A (en) | 1996-10-24 | 1999-10-26 | Academy Of Applied Science | Internet based distance learning system for communicating between server and clients wherein clients communicate with each other or with teacher using different communication techniques via common user interface |
US7263526B1 (en) | 1996-10-30 | 2007-08-28 | Avaya Technology Corp. | Method and apparatus for embedding chat functions in a web page |
US6233318B1 (en) | 1996-11-05 | 2001-05-15 | Comverse Network Systems, Inc. | System for accessing multimedia mailboxes and messages over the internet and via telephone |
US5940488A (en) | 1996-11-15 | 1999-08-17 | Active Voice Corporation | Telecommunication management system and user interface |
US5951646A (en) | 1996-11-25 | 1999-09-14 | America Online, Inc. | System and method for scheduling and processing image and sound data |
US5867162A (en) | 1996-12-06 | 1999-02-02 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling picklists |
US6240430B1 (en) | 1996-12-13 | 2001-05-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method of multiple text selection and manipulation |
US5987113A (en) | 1996-12-23 | 1999-11-16 | Northern Telecom Limited | Long distance phone tag service |
US6166730A (en) | 1997-12-03 | 2000-12-26 | Diva Systems Corporation | System for interactively distributing information services |
US6175831B1 (en) | 1997-01-17 | 2001-01-16 | Six Degrees, Inc. | Method and apparatus for constructing a networking database and system |
US6212550B1 (en) | 1997-01-21 | 2001-04-03 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and system in a client-server for automatically converting messages from a first format to a second format compatible with a message retrieving device |
US6012051A (en) | 1997-02-06 | 2000-01-04 | America Online, Inc. | Consumer profiling system with analytic decision processor |
US6963923B1 (en) | 1997-02-10 | 2005-11-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for file transfer restarts using standard internet protocol |
US6750881B1 (en) | 1997-02-24 | 2004-06-15 | America Online, Inc. | User definable on-line co-user lists |
US5920692A (en) | 1997-03-24 | 1999-07-06 | International Business Machines Corp. | Method and system for a remote notification service for a multi-user server architecture |
US6260148B1 (en) | 1997-04-04 | 2001-07-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Methods and systems for message forwarding and property notifications using electronic subscriptions |
US6014135A (en) | 1997-04-04 | 2000-01-11 | Netscape Communications Corp. | Collaboration centric document processing environment using an information centric visual user interface and information presentation method |
US5943478A (en) | 1997-04-04 | 1999-08-24 | Flash Communications, Inc. | System for immediate popup messaging across the internet |
US6002402A (en) | 1997-04-09 | 1999-12-14 | Symantec Corporation | System and method for producing a drag-and-drop object from a popup menu item |
US5893091A (en) | 1997-04-11 | 1999-04-06 | Immediata Corporation | Multicasting with key words |
FI104873B (en) | 1997-04-16 | 2000-04-14 | Nokia Networks Oy | Data service in a mobile network |
US6199097B1 (en) | 1997-04-30 | 2001-03-06 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for collecting data and storage medium for data collection program |
US6014689A (en) | 1997-06-03 | 2000-01-11 | Smith Micro Software Inc. | E-mail system with a video e-mail player |
US6009462A (en) | 1997-06-16 | 1999-12-28 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Replacing large bit component of electronic mail (e-mail) message with hot-link in distributed computer system |
US6178331B1 (en) | 1997-06-17 | 2001-01-23 | Bulletin.Net, Inc. | System and process for allowing wireless messaging |
JPH1115756A (en) | 1997-06-24 | 1999-01-22 | Omron Corp | Electronic mail discrimination method, device, therefor and storage medium |
US5870744A (en) | 1997-06-30 | 1999-02-09 | Intel Corporation | Virtual people networking |
US6195354B1 (en) | 1997-07-16 | 2001-02-27 | Nortel Networks Limited | Route selection for path balancing in connection-oriented packet switching networks |
WO1999004344A1 (en) | 1997-07-18 | 1999-01-28 | Net Exchange, Inc. | Apparatus and method for effecting correspondent-centric electronic mail |
US7117358B2 (en) | 1997-07-24 | 2006-10-03 | Tumbleweed Communications Corp. | Method and system for filtering communication |
IL121501A (en) | 1997-08-08 | 2003-04-10 | Icq Inc | Telephone-status notification system |
JPH1165960A (en) * | 1997-08-27 | 1999-03-09 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Message server equipment using directory management |
US6356922B1 (en) | 1997-09-15 | 2002-03-12 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Method and system for suggesting related documents |
US6658623B1 (en) | 1997-09-15 | 2003-12-02 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Displaying in a first document a selectable link to a second document based on a passive query |
FI104604B (en) | 1997-09-19 | 2000-02-29 | Nokia Networks Oy | Updating Internet access point settings in the mobile system |
US6636733B1 (en) | 1997-09-19 | 2003-10-21 | Thompson Trust | Wireless messaging method |
US6018571A (en) | 1997-09-30 | 2000-01-25 | Mitel Corporation | System for interactive control of a computer and telephone |
JP3733218B2 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 2006-01-11 | キヤノン株式会社 | RELAY DEVICE, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM |
US5954798A (en) | 1997-10-06 | 1999-09-21 | Ncr Corporation | Mechanism for dependably managing web synchronization and tracking operations among multiple browsers |
US5951652A (en) | 1997-10-06 | 1999-09-14 | Ncr Corporation | Dependable data element synchronization mechanism |
US5951643A (en) | 1997-10-06 | 1999-09-14 | Ncr Corporation | Mechanism for dependably organizing and managing information for web synchronization and tracking among multiple browsers |
US6081830A (en) | 1997-10-09 | 2000-06-27 | Gateway 2000, Inc. | Automatic linking to program-specific computer chat rooms |
US6006179A (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1999-12-21 | America Online, Inc. | Audio codec using adaptive sparse vector quantization with subband vector classification |
US6269369B1 (en) | 1997-11-02 | 2001-07-31 | Amazon.Com Holdings, Inc. | Networked personal contact manager |
US5893099A (en) | 1997-11-10 | 1999-04-06 | International Business Machines | System and method for processing electronic mail status rendezvous |
US6151584A (en) | 1997-11-20 | 2000-11-21 | Ncr Corporation | Computer architecture and method for validating and collecting and metadata and data about the internet and electronic commerce environments (data discoverer) |
US6034891A (en) | 1997-12-01 | 2000-03-07 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Multi-state flash memory defect management |
US6208659B1 (en) | 1997-12-22 | 2001-03-27 | Nortel Networks Limited | Data processing system and method for providing personal information in a communication network |
AU1907899A (en) | 1997-12-22 | 1999-07-12 | Accepted Marketing, Inc. | E-mail filter and method thereof |
US6512930B2 (en) | 1997-12-30 | 2003-01-28 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | On-line notification in a mobile communications system |
US6545722B1 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2003-04-08 | Douglas G. Brown | Methods and systems for providing television related services via a networked personal computer |
US6249740B1 (en) | 1998-01-21 | 2001-06-19 | Kabushikikaisha Equos Research | Communications navigation system, and navigation base apparatus and vehicle navigation apparatus both used in the navigation system |
JP3855430B2 (en) | 1998-01-23 | 2006-12-13 | ソニー株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system, and recording medium |
US6233577B1 (en) | 1998-02-17 | 2001-05-15 | Phone.Com, Inc. | Centralized certificate management system for two-way interactive communication devices in data networks |
US6144991A (en) | 1998-02-19 | 2000-11-07 | Telcordia Technologies, Inc. | System and method for managing interactions between users in a browser-based telecommunications network |
US7233948B1 (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 2007-06-19 | Intertrust Technologies Corp. | Methods and apparatus for persistent control and protection of content |
DE69839087T2 (en) | 1998-03-18 | 2009-03-19 | Sony Deutschland Gmbh | IRC name translation protocol |
US6484196B1 (en) | 1998-03-20 | 2002-11-19 | Advanced Web Solutions | Internet messaging system and method for use in computer networks |
JP4286345B2 (en) | 1998-05-08 | 2009-06-24 | 株式会社リコー | Search support system and computer-readable recording medium |
US6070171A (en) | 1998-05-15 | 2000-05-30 | Palantir Software, Inc. | Method and system for copy-tracking distributed software featuring tokens containing a key field and a usage field |
US6122647A (en) | 1998-05-19 | 2000-09-19 | Perspecta, Inc. | Dynamic generation of contextual links in hypertext documents |
US6327586B1 (en) | 1998-05-27 | 2001-12-04 | Wisdombuilder, L.L.C. | System method and computer program product to automate the management and analysis of heterogeneous data |
US6219694B1 (en) | 1998-05-29 | 2001-04-17 | Research In Motion Limited | System and method for pushing information from a host system to a mobile data communication device having a shared electronic address |
US7346671B2 (en) | 1998-06-05 | 2008-03-18 | Instant Service.Com, Inc. | Real time internet communications system |
NL1009376C1 (en) | 1998-06-11 | 1998-07-06 | Boardwalk Ag | Data system for providing relationship patterns between people. |
CA2334880A1 (en) | 1998-06-11 | 1999-12-16 | Boardwalk Ltd. | System, method, and computer program product for providing relational patterns between entities |
US6785710B2 (en) * | 1998-06-22 | 2004-08-31 | Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc. | E-mail client with programmable address attributes |
US6161130A (en) | 1998-06-23 | 2000-12-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Technique which utilizes a probabilistic classifier to detect "junk" e-mail by automatically updating a training and re-training the classifier based on the updated training set |
CA2241836A1 (en) | 1998-06-29 | 1999-12-29 | Object Technology International Inc. | Natural language transformations for propagating hypertext label changes |
US6795853B1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2004-09-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Integration of additional computer components into a computer operation through attribute enabled interactive selections presented in composite lists available to the user in a variety of display screens |
US6067548A (en) | 1998-07-16 | 2000-05-23 | E Guanxi, Inc. | Dynamic organization model and management computing system and method therefor |
JP3434209B2 (en) | 1998-07-27 | 2003-08-04 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Communication tool use status transmission method, server device, client terminal device, and program recording medium thereof |
US6212548B1 (en) | 1998-07-30 | 2001-04-03 | At & T Corp | System and method for multiple asynchronous text chat conversations |
US6223213B1 (en) | 1998-07-31 | 2001-04-24 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Browser-based email system with user interface for audio/video capture |
JP3865946B2 (en) | 1998-08-06 | 2007-01-10 | 富士通株式会社 | CHARACTER MESSAGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, CHARACTER MESSAGE COMMUNICATION DEVICE, CHARACTER MESSAGE COMMUNICATION SERVER, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING CHARACTER MESSAGE COMMUNICATION PROGRAM, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING CHARACTER MESSAGE COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Message communication management method |
TW463503B (en) | 1998-08-26 | 2001-11-11 | United Video Properties Inc | Television chat system |
CA2246920A1 (en) | 1998-09-10 | 2000-03-10 | Ibm Canada Limited - Ibm Canada Limitee | An activemark mechanism for a live parsing editor |
US6507845B1 (en) | 1998-09-14 | 2003-01-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and software for supporting improved awareness of and collaboration among users involved in a task |
AU6392899A (en) | 1998-09-15 | 2000-04-03 | Local2Me.Com, Inc. | Dynamic matching TM of users for group communication |
AU5926499A (en) * | 1998-09-15 | 2000-04-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Interactive playlist generation using annotations |
ES2523100T3 (en) | 1998-09-16 | 2014-11-20 | Mitsui & Co., Ltd. | A direct multimedia communication system linked to the http protocol |
US6317722B1 (en) | 1998-09-18 | 2001-11-13 | Amazon.Com, Inc. | Use of electronic shopping carts to generate personal recommendations |
US6493705B1 (en) | 1998-09-30 | 2002-12-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Information search apparatus and method, and computer readable memory |
US6493692B1 (en) | 1998-09-30 | 2002-12-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Information search apparatus and method, and computer readable memory |
EP0990998A3 (en) | 1998-09-30 | 2005-04-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Information search apparatus and method |
US6363392B1 (en) | 1998-10-16 | 2002-03-26 | Vicinity Corporation | Method and system for providing a web-sharable personal database |
US6751777B2 (en) | 1998-10-19 | 2004-06-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multi-target links for navigating between hypertext documents and the like |
US6269405B1 (en) * | 1998-10-19 | 2001-07-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | User account establishment and synchronization in heterogeneous networks |
WO2000024154A1 (en) | 1998-10-20 | 2000-04-27 | Galiad Computers Ltd. | Secure messaging system and method |
US6175859B1 (en) * | 1998-10-28 | 2001-01-16 | Avaya Technology Corp. | Sender-defined time for reporting on the status of a sent message or of the message's recipient |
US6360215B1 (en) | 1998-11-03 | 2002-03-19 | Inktomi Corporation | Method and apparatus for retrieving documents based on information other than document content |
US6718313B1 (en) | 1998-11-03 | 2004-04-06 | Next Card, Inc. | Integrating live chat into an online credit card application |
US6618747B1 (en) | 1998-11-25 | 2003-09-09 | Francis H. Flynn | Electronic communication delivery confirmation and verification system |
JP2000161918A (en) | 1998-12-01 | 2000-06-16 | Tsubakimoto Chain Co | Method and device for detecting position of moving body |
US20030097361A1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2003-05-22 | Dinh Truong T | Message center based desktop systems |
GB2347007B (en) | 1998-12-10 | 2001-02-14 | Nippon Telegraph & Telephone | Learning control information generation method,apparatus and computer readable medium storing learning control information generation program |
US6529475B1 (en) | 1998-12-16 | 2003-03-04 | Nortel Networks Limited | Monitor for the control of multimedia services in networks |
US6317776B1 (en) | 1998-12-17 | 2001-11-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for automatic chat room source selection based on filtered audio input amplitude of associated data streams |
US6408316B1 (en) | 1998-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Bookmark set creation according to user selection of selected pages satisfying a search condition |
US6366962B1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2002-04-02 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for a buddy list |
US6748421B1 (en) | 1998-12-23 | 2004-06-08 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and system for conveying video messages |
US6192395B1 (en) | 1998-12-23 | 2001-02-20 | Multitude, Inc. | System and method for visually identifying speaking participants in a multi-participant networked event |
US6425012B1 (en) | 1998-12-28 | 2002-07-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | System creating chat network based on a time of each chat access request |
JP3411843B2 (en) | 1998-12-28 | 2003-06-03 | パナソニック コミュニケーションズ株式会社 | MFP |
US6442546B1 (en) | 1998-12-30 | 2002-08-27 | At&T Corp. | Messaging system with application-defined states |
US6535586B1 (en) | 1998-12-30 | 2003-03-18 | At&T Corp. | System for the remote notification and retrieval of electronically stored messages |
US6330590B1 (en) | 1999-01-05 | 2001-12-11 | William D. Cotten | Preventing delivery of unwanted bulk e-mail |
US20010013050A1 (en) | 1999-01-11 | 2001-08-09 | Shah Niraj A. | Buddy list aggregation |
US6606647B2 (en) | 1999-01-11 | 2003-08-12 | Infospace, Inc. | Server and method for routing messages to achieve unified communications |
US7003719B1 (en) | 1999-01-25 | 2006-02-21 | West Publishing Company, Dba West Group | System, method, and software for inserting hyperlinks into documents |
JP4085500B2 (en) | 1999-01-29 | 2008-05-14 | 株式会社エクォス・リサーチ | Vehicle status grasping device, agent device, and vehicle control device |
US6449634B1 (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2002-09-10 | Digital Impact, Inc. | Method and system for remotely sensing the file formats processed by an E-mail client |
US7110510B1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2006-09-19 | Siemens Communications, Inc. | System and method for handling of threaded messages |
US6834276B1 (en) | 1999-02-25 | 2004-12-21 | Integrated Data Control, Inc. | Database system and method for data acquisition and perusal |
SE9900710L (en) | 1999-02-25 | 2000-08-26 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Method and device relating to communication networks for mobile phones |
US6882708B1 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2005-04-19 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Region-wide messaging system and methods including validation of transactions |
JP2000259514A (en) | 1999-03-05 | 2000-09-22 | Hitachi Information Systems Ltd | Electronic mail destination management system and recording medium stored with program for performing the same |
US6862710B1 (en) | 1999-03-23 | 2005-03-01 | Insightful Corporation | Internet navigation using soft hyperlinks |
US6421439B1 (en) | 1999-03-24 | 2002-07-16 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for user affiliation in a telephone network |
JP2000284999A (en) | 1999-03-30 | 2000-10-13 | Sony Corp | Image information communication equipment and method, image information providing device and method and providing medium |
US6574599B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2003-06-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Voice-recognition-based methods for establishing outbound communication through a unified messaging system including intelligent calendar interface |
US6434601B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2002-08-13 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Pre test electronic mail process |
US6671508B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2003-12-30 | Fujitsu Limited | Communication control method, status notification method and mobile communication terminal using same |
US8275661B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2012-09-25 | Verizon Corporate Services Group Inc. | Targeted banner advertisements |
US6374290B1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 2002-04-16 | Cacheflow, Inc. | Self moderated virtual communities |
WO2000060809A1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 2000-10-12 | Multitude, Inc. | Apparatus and method for establishing an audio conference in a networked environment |
US6366950B1 (en) * | 1999-04-02 | 2002-04-02 | Smithmicro Software | System and method for verifying users' identity in a network using e-mail communication |
US7082407B1 (en) | 1999-04-09 | 2006-07-25 | Amazon.Com, Inc. | Purchase notification service for assisting users in selecting items from an electronic catalog |
US7275206B1 (en) | 1999-04-15 | 2007-09-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and computer program product for identifying hypertext links in document printouts |
US6400845B1 (en) | 1999-04-23 | 2002-06-04 | Computer Services, Inc. | System and method for data extraction from digital images |
US7233992B1 (en) | 1999-04-26 | 2007-06-19 | Comerica Bank-California | Computerized method and system for managing the exchange and distribution of confidential documents |
US6879665B1 (en) | 1999-04-27 | 2005-04-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for sending messages in a data processing system |
US6747970B1 (en) | 1999-04-29 | 2004-06-08 | Christopher H. Lamb | Methods and apparatus for providing communications services between connectionless and connection-oriented networks |
US6654741B1 (en) | 1999-05-03 | 2003-11-25 | Microsoft Corporation | URL mapping methods and systems |
US20030069874A1 (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2003-04-10 | Eyal Hertzog | Method and system to automate the updating of personal information within a personal information management application and to synchronize such updated personal information management applications |
US6393464B1 (en) | 1999-05-10 | 2002-05-21 | Unbound Communications, Inc. | Method for controlling the delivery of electronic mail messages |
US6564261B1 (en) | 1999-05-10 | 2003-05-13 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Distributed system to intelligently establish sessions between anonymous users over various networks |
US6571234B1 (en) | 1999-05-11 | 2003-05-27 | Prophet Financial Systems, Inc. | System and method for managing online message board |
US7103846B1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2006-09-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Collaborative application with indicator of concurrent users |
US7143356B1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2006-11-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Communication link system based on user indicator |
US7100116B1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2006-08-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Visual indicator of network user status based on user indicator |
US6424828B1 (en) | 1999-06-03 | 2002-07-23 | Ericsson Inc. | Internet server and method for providing access to internet e-mail and internet web pages |
US6907243B1 (en) | 1999-06-09 | 2005-06-14 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Method and system for dynamic soft handoff resource allocation in a wireless network |
US6400381B1 (en) | 1999-06-11 | 2002-06-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Web places |
AU5240100A (en) | 1999-06-22 | 2001-01-09 | Odigo, Inc. | System and method for processing and presenting internet usage information to facilitate user communications |
US6467080B1 (en) | 1999-06-24 | 2002-10-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Shared, dynamically customizable user documentation |
US6389372B1 (en) | 1999-06-29 | 2002-05-14 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for bootstrapping a collaborative filtering system |
US6301609B1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2001-10-09 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Assignable associate priorities for user-definable instant messaging buddy groups |
US6546002B1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2003-04-08 | Joseph J. Kim | System and method for implementing an intelligent and mobile menu-interface agent |
US6507866B1 (en) | 1999-07-19 | 2003-01-14 | At&T Wireless Services, Inc. | E-mail usage pattern detection |
US6400810B1 (en) * | 1999-07-20 | 2002-06-04 | Ameritech Corporation | Method and system for selective notification of E-mail messages |
US6665665B1 (en) | 1999-07-30 | 2003-12-16 | Verizon Laboratories Inc. | Compressed document surrogates |
US6353825B1 (en) | 1999-07-30 | 2002-03-05 | Verizon Laboratories Inc. | Method and device for classification using iterative information retrieval techniques |
US6525747B1 (en) | 1999-08-02 | 2003-02-25 | Amazon.Com, Inc. | Method and system for conducting a discussion relating to an item |
US6430604B1 (en) | 1999-08-03 | 2002-08-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Technique for enabling messaging systems to use alternative message delivery mechanisms |
US6557027B1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2003-04-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for managing on-line discussion having multiple topics in a collaborative data processing environment |
US6795863B1 (en) | 1999-08-10 | 2004-09-21 | Intline.Com, Inc. | System, device and method for combining streaming video with e-mail |
US20040193722A1 (en) | 1999-08-30 | 2004-09-30 | Donovan Kevin Remington Joseph Bartholomew | Universal instant messaging system for the internet |
US6463461B1 (en) | 1999-08-30 | 2002-10-08 | Zaplet, Inc. | System for communicating information among a group of participants |
EP1081930A1 (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2001-03-07 | Lucent Technologies ECS Limited | Method and apparatus for establishing communication |
US7424543B2 (en) | 1999-09-08 | 2008-09-09 | Rice Iii James L | System and method of permissive data flow and application transfer |
JP2001084320A (en) | 1999-09-13 | 2001-03-30 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Workflow management system |
US7120871B1 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2006-10-10 | Actv, Inc. | Enhanced video programming system and method utilizing a web page staging area |
US6785554B1 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2004-08-31 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Modified finger assignment algorithm for high data rate calls |
US6691162B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2004-02-10 | America Online, Inc. | Monitoring users of a computer network |
US6539421B1 (en) | 1999-09-24 | 2003-03-25 | America Online, Inc. | Messaging application user interface |
US6654683B2 (en) | 1999-09-27 | 2003-11-25 | Jin Haiping | Method and system for real-time navigation using mobile telephones |
CA2385833C (en) | 1999-09-28 | 2016-10-18 | Parlano, Inc. | Information flow management in real time |
US7949722B1 (en) | 1999-09-29 | 2011-05-24 | Actv Inc. | Enhanced video programming system and method utilizing user-profile information |
US6763373B2 (en) | 1999-10-13 | 2004-07-13 | Datahouse Labs, Inc. | Method and system for creating and sending handwritten or handdrawn messages |
US6788769B1 (en) | 1999-10-13 | 2004-09-07 | Emediacy, Inc. | Internet directory system and method using telephone number based addressing |
US6807574B1 (en) | 1999-10-22 | 2004-10-19 | Tellme Networks, Inc. | Method and apparatus for content personalization over a telephone interface |
CA2288573A1 (en) | 1999-11-08 | 2001-05-08 | John C. Myers | Telephone based access to instant messaging |
US6651058B1 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2003-11-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method of automatic discovery of terms in a document that are relevant to a given target topic |
US6519602B2 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2003-02-11 | International Business Machine Corporation | System and method for the automatic construction of generalization-specialization hierarchy of terms from a database of terms and associated meanings |
US6505197B1 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2003-01-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for automatically and iteratively mining related terms in a document through relations and patterns of occurrences |
US8601373B1 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2013-12-03 | Ebay Inc. | Network-based sales system with customizable user interface |
US7171473B1 (en) | 1999-11-17 | 2007-01-30 | Planet Exchange, Inc. | System using HTTP protocol for maintaining and updating on-line presence information of new user in user table and group table |
US6489968B1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2002-12-03 | Amazon.Com, Inc. | System and method for exposing popular categories of browse tree |
US6671714B1 (en) | 1999-11-23 | 2003-12-30 | Frank Michael Weyer | Method, apparatus and business system for online communications with online and offline recipients |
US6941345B1 (en) | 1999-12-03 | 2005-09-06 | Nortel Networks Limited | Real-time, text-based messaging between devices in plural communities |
US20020065894A1 (en) | 1999-12-03 | 2002-05-30 | Dalal Siddhartha R. | Local presence state and user-controlled presence and message forwarding in unified instant messaging |
US7191213B1 (en) | 1999-12-08 | 2007-03-13 | Avaya Technology Corp. | Instant message notification application |
US7603411B1 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2009-10-13 | Nortel Networks Limited | Presence management system |
US7359938B1 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2008-04-15 | Nortel Networks Limited | System indicating the presence of an individual or group of individuals |
US7373428B1 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2008-05-13 | Nortel Networks Limited | Intelligent filtering for contact spanning multiple access networks |
US6678719B1 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2004-01-13 | Mediaone Group, Inc. | Virtual workplace intercommunication tool |
US6347332B1 (en) | 1999-12-30 | 2002-02-12 | Edwin I. Malet | System for network-based debates |
US6901559B1 (en) | 2000-01-06 | 2005-05-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing recent categories on a hand-held device |
US7337210B2 (en) | 2000-01-13 | 2008-02-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for determining availability of a user of an instant messaging application |
US7107526B1 (en) | 2000-01-19 | 2006-09-12 | Xerox Corporation | Transparent injection of specific content into web pages viewed while browsing |
US6313855B1 (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2001-11-06 | Browse3D Corporation | System and method for web browsing |
US6580790B1 (en) | 2000-02-09 | 2003-06-17 | At&T Corp. | Calling assistance system and method |
US6559863B1 (en) | 2000-02-11 | 2003-05-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and methodology for video conferencing and internet chatting in a cocktail party style |
US7043530B2 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2006-05-09 | At&T Corp. | System, method and apparatus for communicating via instant messaging |
US7058036B1 (en) | 2000-02-25 | 2006-06-06 | Sprint Spectrum L.P. | Method and system for wireless instant messaging |
US6438215B1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2002-08-20 | Ameritech Corporation | Method and system for filter based message processing in a unified messaging system |
US7240093B1 (en) | 2000-02-29 | 2007-07-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Use of online messaging to facilitate selection of participants in game play |
BR0108899A (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2005-10-18 | Qualcomm Inc | Method and apparatus for participating in group communication services in an existing communication system |
US6714793B1 (en) | 2000-03-06 | 2004-03-30 | America Online, Inc. | Method and system for instant messaging across cellular networks and a public data network |
US6731308B1 (en) | 2000-03-09 | 2004-05-04 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Mechanism for reciprocal awareness of intent to initiate and end interaction among remote users |
US20020056123A1 (en) | 2000-03-09 | 2002-05-09 | Gad Liwerant | Sharing a streaming video |
US6584469B1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2003-06-24 | International Business Machines Corporation | Automatically initiating a knowledge portal query from within a displayed document |
US6567801B1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2003-05-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Automatically initiating a knowledge portal query from within a displayed document |
US6757732B1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2004-06-29 | Nortel Networks Limited | Text-based communications over a data network |
US20020023132A1 (en) | 2000-03-17 | 2002-02-21 | Catherine Tornabene | Shared groups rostering system |
EP1264469B1 (en) | 2000-03-17 | 2008-01-16 | America Online, Inc. | Instant messaging with additional voice communication |
US6868074B1 (en) | 2000-03-30 | 2005-03-15 | Mci, Inc. | Mobile data device and method of locating mobile data device |
US20020023134A1 (en) * | 2000-04-03 | 2002-02-21 | Roskowski Steven G. | Method and computer program product for establishing real-time communications between networked computers |
US6799039B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2004-09-28 | Nortel Networks Limited | Network resource sharing during handover of a mobile station between cellular wireless networks |
US6564213B1 (en) | 2000-04-18 | 2003-05-13 | Amazon.Com, Inc. | Search query autocompletion |
US6785781B2 (en) | 2000-04-20 | 2004-08-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Read/write alignment scheme for port reduction of multi-port SRAM cells |
US20020021307A1 (en) | 2000-04-24 | 2002-02-21 | Steve Glenn | Method and apparatus for utilizing online presence information |
US7277912B2 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2007-10-02 | Aol Llc | Browser environment using multiple browser instantiations |
US20130073648A1 (en) * | 2000-05-04 | 2013-03-21 | Facebook, Inc. | Presenting a recipient of an e-mail with an option to instant message a sender or another recipient based on the sender's or the other recipient's address and online status |
US20130067340A1 (en) * | 2000-05-04 | 2013-03-14 | Facebook, Inc. | Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book |
US8132110B1 (en) * | 2000-05-04 | 2012-03-06 | Aol Inc. | Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book |
US8122363B1 (en) * | 2000-05-04 | 2012-02-21 | Aol Inc. | Presence status indicator |
US6912564B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2005-06-28 | America Online, Inc. | System for instant messaging the sender and recipients of an e-mail message |
US7979802B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2011-07-12 | Aol Inc. | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US9100221B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-08-04 | Facebook, Inc. | Systems for messaging senders and recipients of an electronic message |
US20020049717A1 (en) | 2000-05-10 | 2002-04-25 | Routtenberg Michael D. | Digital content distribution system and method |
US7200634B2 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2007-04-03 | Chikka Pte Ltd. | Instant messaging account system |
US6920478B2 (en) | 2000-05-11 | 2005-07-19 | Chikka Pte Ltd. | Method and system for tracking the online status of active users of an internet-based instant messaging system |
WO2001097088A1 (en) | 2000-06-15 | 2001-12-20 | Orion's Belt, Inc. | Method of and system for determining connections between parties over a network |
MXPA03000110A (en) | 2000-06-22 | 2006-06-08 | Mayer Yaron | System and method for searching, finding and contacting dates on the internet in instant messaging networks. |
US20040122810A1 (en) | 2000-06-22 | 2004-06-24 | Yaron Mayer | System and method for searching, finding and contacting dates on the Internet in instant messaging networks and/or in other methods that enable immediate finding and creating immediate contact |
US8001190B2 (en) | 2001-06-25 | 2011-08-16 | Aol Inc. | Email integrated instant messaging |
US6781608B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2004-08-24 | America Online, Inc. | Gradual image display |
US6699125B2 (en) * | 2000-07-03 | 2004-03-02 | Yahoo! Inc. | Game server for use in connection with a messenger server |
US7117245B1 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2006-10-03 | Iris Wireless, Llc | Global communication method and system |
US7047202B2 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2006-05-16 | Amit Jaipuria | Method and apparatus for optimizing networking potential using a secured system for an online community |
US6772188B1 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2004-08-03 | America Online, Incorporated | Method and apparatus for communicating with an entity automatically identified in an electronic communication |
US7028263B2 (en) | 2000-07-19 | 2006-04-11 | Research In Motion Limited | User interface and method for viewing short messages on a wireless device |
US6839737B1 (en) | 2000-07-19 | 2005-01-04 | Neoplanet, Inc. | Messaging system for indicating status of a sender of electronic mail and method and computer program product therefor |
ATE502477T1 (en) | 2000-07-25 | 2011-04-15 | America Online Inc | VIDEO MESSAGING |
US6772196B1 (en) | 2000-07-27 | 2004-08-03 | Propel Software Corp. | Electronic mail filtering system and methods |
US6968179B1 (en) | 2000-07-27 | 2005-11-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Place specific buddy list services |
US6405035B1 (en) | 2000-08-24 | 2002-06-11 | Telefonaktiebolaget L.M. Ericsson | System and method for forwarding messages to a subscriber device |
JP3829050B2 (en) | 2000-08-29 | 2006-10-04 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Integrated electronic components |
US6640230B1 (en) | 2000-09-27 | 2003-10-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Calendar-driven application technique for preparing responses to incoming events |
KR20020028108A (en) | 2000-10-07 | 2002-04-16 | 구자홍 | Operating method for electronic mail service displaying status of sender |
US6757365B1 (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2004-06-29 | Tellme Networks, Inc. | Instant messaging via telephone interfaces |
AU2002214415A1 (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2002-05-06 | Enotarius As | Method and data processing system for managing, tracing and authenticating electronic data transmittals such as e-mail, and for extracting electronic addresses |
US7039676B1 (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2006-05-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Using video image analysis to automatically transmit gestures over a network in a chat or instant messaging session |
GB2368747B (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2004-12-29 | Daniel Victor Pavin | Method and system for determining the popularity of a subject |
US7725405B2 (en) * | 2000-11-03 | 2010-05-25 | Yahoo! Inc. | System and method for agency based posting and searching for job openings via a computer system and network |
US6732155B2 (en) | 2000-12-01 | 2004-05-04 | Microsoft Corporation | Dynamic controlling of attribute-specific list for improved object organization |
US7197513B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2007-03-27 | Aol Llc | Distributed image storage architecture |
US20020112181A1 (en) | 2000-12-12 | 2002-08-15 | Smith Mark Elwin | Multilevel secure network access system |
US6668173B2 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2003-12-23 | Motorola, Inc. | Instant message user location tracking system |
US6912563B1 (en) | 2000-12-19 | 2005-06-28 | Digi-Net Technologies | Methods and systems for proactive on-line communications |
US6993564B2 (en) | 2000-12-22 | 2006-01-31 | At&T Corp. | Method of authorizing receipt of instant messages by a recipient user |
US6701348B2 (en) | 2000-12-22 | 2004-03-02 | Goodcontacts.Com | Method and system for automatically updating contact information within a contact database |
US20030009385A1 (en) | 2000-12-26 | 2003-01-09 | Tucciarone Joel D. | Electronic messaging system and method thereof |
US7222156B2 (en) | 2001-01-25 | 2007-05-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Integrating collaborative messaging into an electronic mail program |
US20020103801A1 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2002-08-01 | Lyons Martha L. | Centralized clearinghouse for community identity information |
US7299007B2 (en) | 2001-02-01 | 2007-11-20 | Ack Venture Holdings, Llc | Mobile computing and communication |
US7246371B2 (en) | 2001-02-05 | 2007-07-17 | Openwave Systems Inc. | System and method for filtering unavailable devices in a presence and availability management system |
US20020147777A1 (en) | 2001-02-06 | 2002-10-10 | Hackbarth Randy L. | Apparatus and method for use in portal service for a team utilizing collaboration services |
US8219620B2 (en) | 2001-02-20 | 2012-07-10 | Mcafee, Inc. | Unwanted e-mail filtering system including voting feedback |
US7159178B2 (en) | 2001-02-20 | 2007-01-02 | Communispace Corp. | System for supporting a virtual community |
US6941466B2 (en) | 2001-02-22 | 2005-09-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing automatic e-mail filtering based on message semantics, sender's e-mail ID, and user's identity |
US6714791B2 (en) | 2001-02-23 | 2004-03-30 | Danger, Inc. | System, apparatus and method for location-based instant messaging |
US6430344B1 (en) | 2001-02-23 | 2002-08-06 | Fitel Usa Corp. | Communication cable having enhanced crush resistance |
CN1229943C (en) * | 2001-03-07 | 2005-11-30 | 耐兹凯卜通信股份有限公司 | Integration of E-mail with instant messaging services |
US6542817B2 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2003-04-01 | Alpine Electronics, Inc. | Route search method in navigation system |
US6981223B2 (en) | 2001-03-19 | 2005-12-27 | Ecrio, Inc. | Method, apparatus and computer readable medium for multiple messaging session management with a graphical user interface |
US7512407B2 (en) | 2001-03-26 | 2009-03-31 | Tencent (Bvi) Limited | Instant messaging system and method |
US6934917B2 (en) | 2001-04-20 | 2005-08-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. | Automatic selection of favorite media selections of a user of a media presentation device |
AUPR459901A0 (en) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-05-24 | Sharinga Networks Inc. | Instant messaging |
EP1257110B1 (en) | 2001-05-11 | 2013-09-18 | Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix (also trading as Square Enix Co., Ltd.) | Method and device for a messaging address directory |
US7190956B2 (en) | 2001-05-15 | 2007-03-13 | Motorola Inc. | Instant message proxy for circuit switched mobile environment |
TW512284B (en) | 2001-05-24 | 2002-12-01 | Ulead Systems Inc | Graphic processing method using depth auxiliary and computer readable record medium for storing programs |
US8311887B2 (en) | 2001-05-29 | 2012-11-13 | Fujitsu Limited | Methods, devices and systems for real-time instant presence with advertisement (RIPA) |
JP3961784B2 (en) | 2001-06-01 | 2007-08-22 | 株式会社エヌ・ティ・ティ・ドコモ | Positioning device, positioning result correcting method, program, and recording medium |
US7380126B2 (en) | 2001-06-01 | 2008-05-27 | Logan James D | Methods and apparatus for controlling the transmission and receipt of email messages |
WO2002099597A2 (en) | 2001-06-07 | 2002-12-12 | Unwired Express, Inc. | Method and system for providing context awareness |
US20030004872A1 (en) * | 2001-06-29 | 2003-01-02 | Gardi Michael E. | Electronic direct marketing |
US7552081B2 (en) | 2001-06-29 | 2009-06-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | User rating system for online auctions |
US7366756B2 (en) | 2001-07-09 | 2008-04-29 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | System and method for securing privacy of chat participants |
US20030017826A1 (en) * | 2001-07-17 | 2003-01-23 | Dan Fishman | Short-range wireless architecture |
US7673342B2 (en) | 2001-07-26 | 2010-03-02 | Mcafee, Inc. | Detecting e-mail propagated malware |
US6785681B2 (en) | 2001-07-31 | 2004-08-31 | Intel Corporation | Generating a list of people relevant to a task |
US7266583B2 (en) | 2001-08-20 | 2007-09-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for providing contact management to chat session participants |
US7035865B2 (en) | 2001-08-28 | 2006-04-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Calendar-enhanced awareness for instant messaging systems and electronic status boards |
US6910189B2 (en) | 2001-08-30 | 2005-06-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method, system, and computer program product for electronic messaging mail list management |
US20030046210A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2003-03-06 | Vora Poorvi L. | Anonymous acquisition of digital products based on secret splitting |
US7765484B2 (en) | 2001-09-28 | 2010-07-27 | Aol Inc. | Passive personalization of lists |
US7512652B1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2009-03-31 | Aol Llc, A Delaware Limited Liability Company | Passive personalization of buddy lists |
US6677976B2 (en) | 2001-10-16 | 2004-01-13 | Sprint Communications Company, LP | Integration of video telephony with chat and instant messaging environments |
US20030084103A1 (en) | 2001-10-29 | 2003-05-01 | Comverse, Ltd. | Method and system for third-party initiation of an anonymous tele-chat session |
US20030093580A1 (en) | 2001-11-09 | 2003-05-15 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and system for information alerts |
US6501834B1 (en) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-12-31 | At&T Corp. | Message sender status monitor |
US20030131061A1 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2003-07-10 | Active Buddy, Inc. | Transparent proxy server for instant messaging system and methods |
US6646903B2 (en) | 2001-12-03 | 2003-11-11 | Intel Corporation | Ferroelectric memory input/output apparatus |
US7032007B2 (en) | 2001-12-05 | 2006-04-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for monitoring instant messaging accounts |
US7359943B2 (en) | 2002-01-22 | 2008-04-15 | Yahoo! Inc. | Providing instant messaging functionality in non-instant messaging environments |
US7167910B2 (en) | 2002-02-20 | 2007-01-23 | Microsoft Corporation | Social mapping of contacts from computer communication information |
US7092943B2 (en) | 2002-03-01 | 2006-08-15 | Enterasys Networks, Inc. | Location based data |
US20030187813A1 (en) | 2002-03-26 | 2003-10-02 | Goldman Neal D. | System and method for identifying relationship paths to a target entity |
US7035923B1 (en) | 2002-04-10 | 2006-04-25 | Nortel Networks Limited | Presence information specifying communication preferences |
US6800031B2 (en) | 2002-04-15 | 2004-10-05 | Microsoft Corporation | Method of conducting an interactive competition |
US20030212804A1 (en) | 2002-05-09 | 2003-11-13 | Ardeshir Hashemi | Method and apparatus for media clip sharing over a network |
US6975719B1 (en) | 2002-05-30 | 2005-12-13 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Integrated chat client with called party choice |
US20030225847A1 (en) | 2002-05-31 | 2003-12-04 | Brian Heikes | Sending instant messaging personalization items |
US7426537B2 (en) | 2002-05-31 | 2008-09-16 | Microsoft Corporation | Systems and methods for sharing dynamic content among a plurality of online co-users |
US20030236835A1 (en) | 2002-06-19 | 2003-12-25 | Levi Ronald M. | Network communication system and apparatus |
US7111044B2 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2006-09-19 | Fastmobile, Inc. | Method and system for displaying group chat sessions on wireless mobile terminals |
US7275215B2 (en) | 2002-07-29 | 2007-09-25 | Cerulean Studios, Llc | System and method for managing contacts in an instant messaging environment |
JP2004102547A (en) | 2002-09-06 | 2004-04-02 | Nec Corp | Communication system, communication server, and communicating method |
US7185059B2 (en) | 2002-09-17 | 2007-02-27 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp | Multi-system instant messaging (IM) |
AU2003269636A1 (en) | 2002-09-19 | 2004-04-08 | Research In Motion Limited | Apparatus and method of wireless instant messaging |
US20040056901A1 (en) | 2002-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | March Wendy A. | Method, apparatus and system for representing relationships using a buddy list |
US20040186738A1 (en) | 2002-10-24 | 2004-09-23 | Richard Reisman | Method and apparatus for an idea adoption marketplace |
EP1576586A4 (en) | 2002-11-22 | 2006-02-15 | Transclick Inc | Language translation system and method |
US7970712B2 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2011-06-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Displaying strengths of social relationships between a user and other people |
US7313760B2 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2007-12-25 | Microsoft Corporation | Contact picker |
US7418663B2 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2008-08-26 | Microsoft Corporation | Contact picker interface |
US7177880B2 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2007-02-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method of creating and displaying relationship chains between users of a computerized network |
US7949759B2 (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2011-05-24 | AOL, Inc. | Degrees of separation for handling communications |
US8712397B2 (en) | 2003-02-10 | 2014-04-29 | Guang Feng | Method and apparatus for controllable communication |
US20040179039A1 (en) | 2003-03-03 | 2004-09-16 | Blattner Patrick D. | Using avatars to communicate |
US7406501B2 (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2008-07-29 | Yahoo! Inc. | System and method for instant messaging using an e-mail protocol |
US20040215648A1 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2004-10-28 | The Corporate Library | System, method and computer program product for identifying and displaying inter-relationships between corporate directors and boards |
US7412491B2 (en) | 2003-04-30 | 2008-08-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for enhancing instant messaging systems |
US7127232B2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2006-10-24 | Bell South Intellectual Property Corporation | Multiple access internet portal revenue sharing |
US20050015432A1 (en) | 2003-05-13 | 2005-01-20 | Cohen Hunter C. | Deriving contact information from emails |
US7219303B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2007-05-15 | Aol Llc | Presence and geographic location notification based on a setting |
US7069308B2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2006-06-27 | Friendster, Inc. | System, method and apparatus for connecting users in an online computer system based on their relationships within social networks |
US7124123B1 (en) | 2003-06-30 | 2006-10-17 | America Online, Inc. | Intelligent processing in the context of away and offline instant messages |
US6973299B2 (en) | 2003-08-01 | 2005-12-06 | Microsoft Corporation | Unified contact list |
US7512653B2 (en) | 2003-08-11 | 2009-03-31 | Sony Corporation | System and method for dynamically grouping messaging buddies in an electronic network |
US8131803B2 (en) | 2003-08-19 | 2012-03-06 | Research In Motion Limited | System and method for integrating an address book with an instant messaging application in a mobile station |
US20050043989A1 (en) | 2003-08-19 | 2005-02-24 | Shifrin Daniel G. | System and method of facilitating content delivery to a user |
US20050060377A1 (en) | 2003-09-12 | 2005-03-17 | Chen Chien Lo | Transitory messaging with location information |
US7202814B2 (en) | 2003-09-26 | 2007-04-10 | Siemens Communications, Inc. | System and method for presence-based area monitoring |
US20050080863A1 (en) | 2003-10-14 | 2005-04-14 | Daniell W. Todd | Providing indicators in group email messages |
GB2407731B (en) | 2003-11-03 | 2006-12-20 | Qualcomm | Incoming call screening, control and prioritization in a telephone device |
US7436780B2 (en) | 2003-12-17 | 2008-10-14 | Time Warner, Inc. | Method and apparatus for approximating location of node attached to a network |
US20050198173A1 (en) | 2004-01-02 | 2005-09-08 | Evans Alexander W. | System and method for controlling receipt of electronic messages |
US20050197846A1 (en) | 2004-03-04 | 2005-09-08 | Peter Pezaris | Method and system for generating a proximity index in a social networking environment |
CA2557475A1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2005-09-22 | America Online, Inc. | Passively populating a participant list with known contacts |
US7366764B1 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2008-04-29 | Chelonia Llc | Method for the identification and management of mass unsolicited e-mail |
US20060075044A1 (en) | 2004-09-30 | 2006-04-06 | Fox Kevin D | System and method for electronic contact list-based search and display |
US20060168054A1 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2006-07-27 | Ebay Inc. | Messaging method and apparatus |
US20060167991A1 (en) | 2004-12-16 | 2006-07-27 | Heikes Brian D | Buddy list filtering |
US20060173824A1 (en) | 2005-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | Metalincs Corporation | Electronic communication analysis and visualization |
US20060173963A1 (en) | 2005-02-03 | 2006-08-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Propagating and responding to announcements in an environment having pre-established social groups |
US20070156664A1 (en) | 2005-07-06 | 2007-07-05 | Gemini Mobile Technologies, Inc. | Automatic user matching in an online environment |
US9063981B2 (en) | 2007-10-01 | 2015-06-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for searching contact lists quickly—by group name, tags and/or metadata |
-
2002
- 2002-05-17 US US10/146,814 patent/US7979802B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-05-19 AU AU2003241507A patent/AU2003241507A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-05-19 WO PCT/US2003/015715 patent/WO2003098425A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-05-19 EP EP03731244.4A patent/EP1535141B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-05-19 CA CA2486135A patent/CA2486135C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2011
- 2011-05-31 US US13/149,368 patent/US20110231507A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2012
- 2012-09-14 US US13/616,630 patent/US20130073645A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-09-14 US US13/617,374 patent/US9621493B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2012-09-14 US US13/617,402 patent/US9531654B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2013
- 2013-03-04 US US13/784,647 patent/US9699122B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2014
- 2014-12-30 US US14/586,793 patent/US9461950B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2016
- 2016-08-16 US US15/237,883 patent/US10158588B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2018
- 2018-12-17 US US16/223,016 patent/US20190166077A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7076546B1 (en) * | 1999-02-10 | 2006-07-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Browser for use in accessing hypertext documents in a multi-user computer environment |
US6549937B1 (en) * | 1999-07-21 | 2003-04-15 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for multi-protocol communication in a computer network |
US20020069223A1 (en) * | 2000-11-17 | 2002-06-06 | Goodisman Aaron A. | Methods and systems to link data |
US20030079024A1 (en) * | 2001-10-19 | 2003-04-24 | Hough Paul James | Querying applications using online messenger service |
US20030217073A1 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2003-11-20 | Walther Dan E. | Increasing the level of automation when scheduling and managing meetings |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9360996B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2016-06-07 | Facebook, Inc. | Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book |
US8959164B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-02-17 | Facebook, Inc. | Tri-state presence indicator |
US9043418B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-05-26 | Facebook, Inc. | Systems and methods for instant messaging persons referenced in an electronic message |
US9100221B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2015-08-04 | Facebook, Inc. | Systems for messaging senders and recipients of an electronic message |
US9356894B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2016-05-31 | Facebook, Inc. | Enabled and disabled menu choices based on presence state |
US20110231507A1 (en) * | 2000-05-04 | 2011-09-22 | Aol Inc. | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US9621493B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2017-04-11 | Facebook, Inc. | Providing supplemental information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US9699122B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2017-07-04 | Facebook, Inc. | User interfaces for providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US10122658B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2018-11-06 | Facebook, Inc. | System for instant messaging the sender and recipients of an e-mail message |
US10158588B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2018-12-18 | Facebook, Inc. | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual |
US9363213B2 (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2016-06-07 | Facebook, Inc. | E-mail integrated instant messaging |
US9628431B2 (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2017-04-18 | Facebook, Inc. | E-mail integrated instant messaging |
US10313297B2 (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2019-06-04 | Facebook, Inc. | E-mail integrated instant messaging |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2003241507A1 (en) | 2003-12-02 |
US10158588B2 (en) | 2018-12-18 |
US9621493B2 (en) | 2017-04-11 |
CA2486135A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 |
CA2486135C (en) | 2012-11-27 |
US20130073651A1 (en) | 2013-03-21 |
US20130275526A1 (en) | 2013-10-17 |
EP1535141A1 (en) | 2005-06-01 |
US20160380934A1 (en) | 2016-12-29 |
US7979802B1 (en) | 2011-07-12 |
US20110231507A1 (en) | 2011-09-22 |
US9699122B2 (en) | 2017-07-04 |
US20190166077A1 (en) | 2019-05-30 |
US20130073645A1 (en) | 2013-03-21 |
US20150113440A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 |
EP1535141B1 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
US9461950B2 (en) | 2016-10-04 |
WO2003098425A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 |
AU2003241507A8 (en) | 2003-12-02 |
EP1535141A4 (en) | 2005-10-12 |
US9531654B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 |
WO2003098425A8 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10158588B2 (en) | Providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual | |
US8474628B1 (en) | Presenting a recipient of an e-mail with an option to instant message a sender or another recipient based on the sender's or the other recipient's address and online status | |
US8959164B2 (en) | Tri-state presence indicator | |
US8352566B2 (en) | Shared groups rostering system | |
US10122658B2 (en) | System for instant messaging the sender and recipients of an e-mail message | |
US9043418B2 (en) | Systems and methods for instant messaging persons referenced in an electronic message | |
US9203879B2 (en) | Offline alerts mechanism | |
US7392306B1 (en) | Instant messaging client having an embedded browser | |
US9360996B2 (en) | Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book | |
US7774857B2 (en) | Method and system for protection of electronic digital content | |
US20130067341A1 (en) | Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AOL LLC, VIRGINIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AMERICA ONLINE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:031075/0098 Effective date: 20060403 Owner name: AMERICA ONLINE, INC., VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:APPELMAN, BARRY;REEL/FRAME:031055/0395 Effective date: 20020515 Owner name: FACEBOOK, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AOL INC.;REEL/FRAME:031055/0504 Effective date: 20120614 Owner name: AOL INC., VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AOL LLC;REEL/FRAME:031055/0433 Effective date: 20091204 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: META PLATFORMS, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:FACEBOOK, INC.;REEL/FRAME:058961/0436 Effective date: 20211028 |